Picture this: You wake up at 7:00 AM, pull yourself out of bed and groggily head for the Bathroom to brush your teeth. It’s an action that you’ve performed a million times. What could possibly go wrong? And yet, as you walk in, your sleepy eyes miss that one little wet patch on the floor. Before you know it, you’ve slipped and taken a royal toss.

If you are in the prime of your life, this may not be a particularly relatable scenario for you, but for senior citizens (and even small children), falls at home are a genuine risk. Close to 80% of all falls at home take place in the bathroom. The outcomes vary from the easily manageable bruises and sprains to the far more serious head injuries, hip fractures and more.

Here are some tips on minimizing the risk of falls at home:

1. Bid farewell to wet floors: Make sure you leave the bathroom as dry as possible, especially after you bathe/ shower.
2. Tidy up: People often trip over shoes, toys, clothing and other miscellaneous articles that have been left lying on the floor rather than stored in their proper places. Pick up after yourself, and teach kids to do the same.
3. Friction is your friend: Reduce the risk of slipping on a stairway at home by getting anti-slip strips placed on the edge of each step.
4. Grab a buddy: If there’s a task you need to do that involves using a step ladder, try not to do it alone. Get a friend or family member to help you out or generally keep you company so that they can at least call for help should you lose your balance and fall.
5. Get a personal safety app: If you live alone, consider installing an SOS app on your smartphone, that connects you to Emergency Services or emergency contacts at a single touch.

Got more ideas on how to make your home a fall-free zone? Let us know in the comments!

And remember- if you ever fall down, we’re always here to help you get back up. Contact our emergency services at 1800 1088 108.