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ASHFORD
Volunteer Fire Department
Volunteer Fire Department
Proudly serving the citizens of Ashford since 1950!
Fire • EMS • Rescue
| P.O. Box 1 • Ashford, CT 06278 • (860) 429-9862 |
FALL PREVENTION
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SAFE STEPS TO REDUCE FALLS
Millions of Americans are only a step away from becoming victims of the leading cause of
unintentional home injuries - falls.
According to The State of Home Safety in America™ (2004) conducted by the Home Safety
Council, falls are by far the leading cause of unintentional home injury death. Falls account for an
average of 5.1 million injuries and nearly 6,000 deaths each year. The vast majority of fall deaths
occur among people age 65 and older and fall death rates are higher for males.
In an effort to reduce injuries among people of all ages, the Ashford Volunteer Fire Department
encourages families to identify and correct potential falling hazards in and around the home.
Here's what to look for:
Information provided courtesy of the Home Safety Council, www.homesafetycouncil.org.
Millions of Americans are only a step away from becoming victims of the leading cause of
unintentional home injuries - falls.
According to The State of Home Safety in America™ (2004) conducted by the Home Safety
Council, falls are by far the leading cause of unintentional home injury death. Falls account for an
average of 5.1 million injuries and nearly 6,000 deaths each year. The vast majority of fall deaths
occur among people age 65 and older and fall death rates are higher for males.
In an effort to reduce injuries among people of all ages, the Ashford Volunteer Fire Department
encourages families to identify and correct potential falling hazards in and around the home.
Here's what to look for:
- All stairs and steps should be protected with a secure banister or hand-rail.
- Make sure all porches, hallways and stairwells are well lit. Use the maximum safe wattage
in light fixtures. (Maximum wattage is typically posted inside light fixtures.)
- Use nightlights to help light hallways and bathrooms during night-time hours.
- Keep stairs, steps, landings and all floors clear. Reduce clutter and safely tuck away
telephone and electrical cords out of walkways.
- In homes with children, make sure toys and games are not left on steps or landings. When
very young children are present use safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs.
- Use a non-slip mat or install adhesive safety strips or decals in bathtubs and showers. If
you use a bath mat on the floor, choose one that has a non-skid bottom.
- Install grab bars in bath and shower stalls. Don't use towel racks or wall-mounted soap
dishes as grab bars; they can easily come loose, causing a fall.
- Install window guards to prevent young children from falling out of upper windows. (Select
guards with emergency-release devices.)
- Keep the floor clean. Promptly clean up grease, water and other spills.
- If you use throw rugs in your home place them over a rug-liner or choose rugs with non-skid
backs to reduce your chance of falling.
- Use a sturdy step stool with hand rails when climbing is necessary.
- Follow medication dosages closely. Using multiple medications and/or using medications
incorrectly may cause dizziness, weakness and other side effects which can lead to a
dangerous fall.
Information provided courtesy of the Home Safety Council, www.homesafetycouncil.org.