Whether someone has guests over frequently or is expecting to show a property with the intention of selling it, the last thing anyone wants to happen is to deal with someone being injured from a preventable slip-and-fall. Fortunately, there are a lot of things that can be done to reduce the likelihood of such an accident.
Understanding the risk factors
Grainger points out some of the common problems that can lead to a slip-and-fall incident. Being mindful of some of the following things can give people a better idea of what to avoid:
- Wet leaves outside
- Excessive clutter
- Open drawers
- Steps without handrails
- Loose carpeting
- Unfastened electrical cords
Keeping a clean living space is not just important for the sake of having a good appearance. A poorly maintained space can pose a safety risk, especially for the elderly or persons with limited mobility.
Tips for improving safety
By avoiding some of the above issues, people can reduce the likelihood of a slip-and-fall. There are some further steps that the National Institute on Aging advises people can take to make a space even safer.
Having easily accessible light switches and changing any dead light bulbs will ensure proper visibility of any potential hazards. If using lamps for extra lighting, it is a good practice to either run the cords along a wall, or, if the cords have to cross the ground, taping them down securely to reduce the likelihood they will trip someone.
Areas like bathrooms and kitchens that are more likely to have wet floors can be made safer with non-slip mats or floor tape. But people should make sure the mats will not slide around, or they risk adding a hazard instead of removing one.
