The holiday season is full of festive activities, baking, parties, and winter sports. Because we are so active this time of the year and often preoccupied slips and falls can happen. This is a great time of the year to slow down and prioritize safety, especially when it comes to preventing falls. Here are our practical tips to help you and your loved ones avoid an unnecessary slip and fall injury this holiday season.
Watch Out For Trip Hazards
Holiday lights, garlands, and ornaments can create beautiful displays, but they can also pose tripping hazards. Ensure that all electrical cords are tucked away and secured against walls to prevent stumbling. Use step stools or ladders that are stable and in good condition for hanging decorations, and never overreach while decorating.
Declutter Before Guests Arrive
Remove all unnecessary items from walkways and hallways to ensure that you don’t have trip hazards in high-traffic areas of your home. Make sure that carpets are secured to the floor. If you have area rugs it is a good idea to use a double-sided tape or non-slip mat to keep your rugs in place and avoid slips. These small adjustments can significantly reduce the risk of falls.
Steer Clear of Icy Walkways
Outdoor safety is just as important. Make sure walkways, driveways, and steps are clear of snow and ice. If you have ice accumulating outside use salt or sand to provide traction on slick surfaces, and consider installing handrails for steps and outdoor stairs.
Ladder Safety
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, falls were the dominant hazard pattern, accounting for 25,710 of the 28,510 estimated emergency room-treated injuries. When you are using a ladder this holiday season don’t pull a Clark Griswold. Use your ladders safely and follow our list of guidelines.
Ice Skating Safety
Did you know that in 2018, around 48,000 emergency room visits during the winter were due to ice skating? If you are ice skating this holiday season always skate safely, warm up before skating onto the ice, wear the appropriate gear, and take lessons if necessary.
Falls and trips can happen to anyone but as we get older the risk of fall and the severity of the injury increases. Common injuries due to falls include head injuries, shoulder fractures, forearm fractures, spine fractures, pelvic fractures, and hip fractures. Any fall or trip can be a life-altering event that is especially dangerous for those 65 or older and more than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling.
If you suffer from a slip and fall injury this holiday season that leaves you in pain don’t hesitate to reach out. Don’t live with pain in the new year, make an appointment with one of our orthopedic surgeons today to get you on the road to recovery.