Useful advice for preventing falls in the home

Date: Monday, January 30th 2012
Categories: All Leicestershire

We've heard from a few people who have had falls in their homes recently so we thought we'd pass on some advice from the NHS for preventing falls - hopefully it will prove useful for both carers and the people you care for.

Making small changes in your home can make a big difference in helping to prevent accidents. The NHS's tips for preventing falls in the home include:

Mop up spillages straight away
Remove clutter, trailing wires and frayed carpet
Use non-slip mats and rugs
Use high wattage light bulbs in lamps and torches so that you can see clearly
Organise your home so that climbing, stretching and bending are kept to a minimum and to avoid bumping into things
Get help to do things that you are unable to do safely on your own
Don't walk on slipperly floors in socks or tights
Don't wear loose-fitting, trailing clothes that might trip you up
Wear well-fitting shoes that are in good condition and support the ankle
Take care of your feet by trimming toenails regularly, using moisturiser and seeing a GP or chiropodist about any foot problems

To find out more and for more information please visit the NHS Choices website.

If you care for an older person, the charity Age UK has some useful advice on preventing falls on its website.