If you read our blog on a regular basis, you’ve perhaps noticed the emphasis that we at The Paint Manager place on safety. While we usually feature home improvement topics in this space, we’re devoting this month’s blog post to preventing what the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) identifies as the cause of half of all accidental deaths in the home, and the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims – slip-and-fall accidents.
Although such accidents are usually known as “slip-and-fall,” tripping is included. Trips occur when your foot hits an object and you are moving with enough momentum to be thrown off balance. Both slips and trips cause you to fall.
Our team of home improvement professionals practice “safety first” at all times. We want you to be aware of how to be safe at home and at work, and make it a way of life!
Don’t be One of These Statistics
NFSI and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide the following disturbing statistics about slip-and-fall accidents.
Home slip-and-fall accidents:
- One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.
- Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- Half of all accidental deaths in the home are caused by a fall. Most fall injuries in the home happen at ground level, not from an elevation.
- Each year, 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries.
- Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.
Workplace slip-and-fall accidents:
- Fall fatalities are nearly equally divided between men and women. However, more women will experience a slip-and-fall accident. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls accounted for 5% of the job-related fatalities for women compared to 11% for men.
- Slips and falls do not constitute a primary cause of fatal occupational injuries, but represent the primary cause of lost days from work.
- Slips and falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims and are the leading cause of occupational injury for people aged 55 years and older.
Who is at Risk?
People ages 65 and up are at greatest risk for slip-and-fall accidents, as well as those who work in an industrial setting. According to Verywell Health, those with arthritis, osteoporosis and mobility problems are particularly susceptible. As we will cover later, people of all ages and occupations can be susceptible to injury from these causes if they perform outdoor home maintenance or yard tasks without the proper equipment, protective gear or know-how.
Preventing Slip-and-Fall Accidents at Home
Verywell Health provides a comprehensive list of hazards in every room of the home, and how to prevent them. We recommend that you bookmark this linked page or print it out for easy reference. Some of the highlights follow:
Living room:
- Clear clutter off the floor (pick up newspapers, books, shoes, toys, magazines, etc.).
- Use care around low furniture (coffee tables, ottomans, etc.).
- Anchor loose telephone, computer and electrical cords.
- Secure or avoid area throw rugs.
- Repair bulges in carpeting.
- Take extra care with changes in the floor surface (such as when carpet meets tile floors).
Kitchen:
- Wipe up spills immediately.
- Use a sturdy step stool (not a chair) to reach top cabinets.
- Use a non-skid rug in front of the sink.
- Do not over-wax or over-polish floors.
Bathroom:
- If you have issues with balance or mobility, install grab bars by the toilet, shower and tub. Towel racks, soap dishes, etc., are not designed to hold a person’s weight.
- Use a shower chair and handheld showerhead if prone to falling.
- Use extra care around soapy water.
- Use non-skid bath mats by the shower and sink.
- Use rubber mats or slip-resistant stickers in the tub.
- Quickly clean up puddles.
Bedroom:
- Keep shoes, clothing and other items off the floor.
- If you have issues with balance or dizziness, sit upright at the edge of the bed for a minute or two before getting up to prevent falling.
Stairs and steps:
- Always keep steps and staircases clear.
- Keep stairwells well-lit.
- Install sturdy handrails on both sides.
- Add non-slip safety treads to steps.
- Always keep one hand free to be able to use the handrail.
- Never carry items that obstruct your view of the next step.
- Don’t overload yourself. Carry smaller, lighter loads and/or make extra trips.
- Take your time to decrease chances of misjudging a step.
Garage:
- Clean up oily areas on the floor.
- Keep items organized and out of the way.
- Use a ladder to reach items stored on high shelves. See our section on outdoor slip-and-fall hazards for a link to a helpful guide on choosing the right ladder for any household task.
Watch Out for Outdoor Slip-and-Fall Hazards
Regardless of one’s age or occupation, performing outdoor chores or DIY projects pose a particular risk. If you don’t perform such tasks as cleaning gutters on a regular basis, you may not have the proper equipment that would allow you to do so safely. Many people have ladders that aren’t sturdy or appropriate for the job – or improvise with something unstable, such as a patio chair or stool. The Spruce has an excellent article on how to choose (and use) the right ladder for the task at hand. If you even occasionally use a ladder outdoors or indoors, it is well worth a few minutes of your time to read!
Even doing simple yard work can result in a slip-and-fall injury. Tripping hazards – such as an unseen branch on the ground in your path – or a slick patch of grass after a rainfall – can be enough to get you off-balance. So can wearing flip-flops, which don’t provide the necessary stability on uneven ground or slick surfaces (such as wet grass), or protection against injury. And don’t text or talk while walking! Find a place to stand or sit while you communicate on your phone. That old advice from your mom – keep your eyes open and watch where you’re going – is still important!
Yet, no matter how good your equipment or how vigilant you are, age remains a factor. When you’re deciding whether to take on a DIY project with an element of risk or hire a pro, be honest with yourself. Physical tasks that were perhaps easy for you to perform 20 years ago may be more challenging today. It isn’t worth trying to prove something to yourself if you wind up in the hospital – or worse. Enjoying a healthy, independent life is far preferable.
Preventing Slip-and Fall Accidents in the Workplace
Hopefully, your company follows all OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations. But even those that enforce the strictest compliance can only do so much to prevent human error and negligence. Ultimately, being safe in the workplace is your responsibility.
The most basic safety measure is to be alert! Keep your head up and avoid distractions, such as texting or other cell phone use. Being aware of your surroundings to avoid hazardous situations is one of the best ways to prevent any type of accident.
The Timber Manufacturers Association provides the following precautions to prevent slip-and-fall accidents.
Slips:
- Practice safe walking skills.
- Take short steps on slippery surfaces and point your feet slightly outward.
- Clean up or report spills immediately.
- Don’t let grease accumulate on floors.
Trips:
- Make sure you can see where you’re walking.
- Don’t carry loads that you can’t see over.
- Keep the workplace clean and tidy.
- Properly maintain walking areas and report potential maintenance-related hazards.
Falls:
- Don’t jump off landings or loading docks – use the stairs.
- Repair or replace stairs or handrails that are loose or broken.
- Keep passageways and aisles clear of clutter, and well-lit.
- Wear shoes with the appropriate non-slip soles.
No matter what walk of life you’re from, following the safety tips we’ve featured can help ensure you continue to walk in good health! And if you’ve decided to be safe and leave your exterior home improvement projects to the pros, our team at The Paint Manager can help you achieve the great results you want for your Central Florida home. Learn more about our exterior services – including painting, roof cleaning, pressure washing and stump removal – then contact us to get started!