In less that two weeks, persons across the country will be hosting Christmas get-togethers at their homes, and it’s at these times that the owners of residences have to take careful stock of their environments to determine if there are certain factors that may not be conducive to safety. You may not always think about the hazards that might exist, but when you’re inviting older relatives into your home, correcting these possible injury risks will be essential.
The last thing you want is to expose a parent or grandparent to an orthopedic injury that could entail surgery, rehabilitation, and a diminished way of life. To prevent injuries, think about some of the fall prevention tips on hand from a new report out of Akron, Ohio.
Safety begins before guests even enter your home if you live in a cold-weather clime. When snow has fallen or paths have become icy, the risk to persons who are already not so sure on their feet is great. You need to take the time to shovel the area and then put sand or salt on the ground, especially if the weather is such that snow will continue to fall as you go about your Christmas dinner. Give guests who need assistance an arm to lean on as they approach your home, letting them get an especially good grip when they reach the stairs.
The next injury risk is the entryway of your home, which can get pretty slick when persons’ shoes are bringing snow into your home. This can melt on a hardwood or tile floor and create extensive slickness. Invest in a rug that can provide better traction to guests, and make sure that this and all other rugs in the home have been fastened to the floor via double-sided tape so that the rug itself doesn’t go sliding out from underneath someone.
If you have kids, they may want to toss the new toys that Santa brought every which way throughout the house, but you need to place this clutter in a designated area so that someone can’t trip as they rove about your home. In fact, all forms of debris should be positioned out of the way of guests’ feet, particularly on the stairs where a fall can prove especially detrimental.
When it comes to furniture, make sure that corners aren’t sticking out into paths, especially if they’re pointy. In fact, you may even replace such furniture with the type that has rounded corners that won’t do quite as much damage. Ensure visibility throughout your home so that these and other hazards can be spotted, and do whatever else you can to keep an injury from casting a pall over your holiday celebration.
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