CLEARFIELD – June is recognized as Home Safety Month by the Home Safety Council. According to the Home Safety Council, an average of 21 million medical visits per year is the result of unintended injuries. The Home Safety Council also attributes slips and falls to 5.1 million injuries each year, while one third of unintended home injury falls result in death. Visitors of all ages are in and out of our homes throughout the year. What could be a better time of year to complete repairs or implement home modifications to improve the safety of our home than the summer months?
There are a multitude of areas in our home environment to consider to improve the safety of our homes. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Home Safety Council (HSC), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer the following suggestions to improve safety. Consider these suggestions:
-The installation of hand rails on steps, in hallways and/or grab bars in tub and shower areas. Installation of a rubber mat or nonslip strips to the bottom of your tub or shower area.
-The installation of gates at the top and bottom of steps for increasing the safety of small children.
-Remove throw rugs or secure area rugs in areas frequently traveled to decrease the risk of tripping or stumbling.
-Post a list of current medications, emergency contacts, and allergies on the refrigerator or central phone in the event of an emergency.
-Lighting throughout homes is essential. Be certain bedroom, hallways, bathrooms, and stairwells have adequate lighting throughout the day and night. Installation of nightlights in each room for night time is beneficial.
-Be sure walkways throughout the home are clear and wide enough. Narrow areas increase the risk of tripping, or result in the improper use of assistive walking devices, which increases fall risk. Walkways entering your home, such as sidewalks and steps should be free of debris and uneven surfaces. Damaged steps or loose hand rails should be repaired.
Safety can be improved by addressing our personal needs as well. The CDC and the AOTA offer the following suggestions:
Consider starting a routine exercise program. Exercising regularly will improve muscle strength, activity tolerance, balance and coordination for daily activities. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning an exercise program, or for assistance in locating local exercise programs tailored to your specific needs. For instance, Clearfield Hospital offers a variety of exercise and wellness programs. These include: Fit for Life, Pulmonary Rehabilitation-Maintenance Phase, and the StrongWomen Program in conjunction with the Penn State Cooperative Extension. Information about these programs can be obtained by contacting the Clearfield Hospital Rehabilitation Department at 768-2285 or visiting the Clearfield Hospital Web site.
-Schedule routine vision exams. Improved vision may decrease your risk of falls via improved visual-perceptual function, or general visual improvement.
-A routine review of medications with your healthcare provider is beneficial. It is important to understand side effects and negative interactions of newly prescribed medications with current ones.
-Always carry current medication, physician and emergency contact, and allergy information with you in the event of an emergency.
-Consult your healthcare provider if you have experienced any recent falls or changes in your balance. A referral to a Physical or Occupational Therapy Department may be considered to assess for possible assistive device needs, home modification considerations, and the establishment of a specific home exercise program to improve strength, balance and coordination.
-Consider footwear. The fit, weight, and type of shoe could impact the quality of walking, as well as balance, coordination, and activity tolerance for daily activities.
-Use good judgment and recognize limitations when completing tasks. For example, if balance is impaired, avoid climbing on foot or step stools, or elevated or uneven surfaces to obtain items. Ask for help.
Home safety is an important concept for every home and is not limited to fall prevention. Poison prevention and fire safety are also areas of consideration. For more information on poison and fire safety suggestions, visit the Home Safety Council Website at www.homesafetycouncil.org, and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. Occupational Therapy staff of Clearfield Hospital’s Rehabilitation Department is also available to provide additional safety recommendations.
The Women’s Health Task Force meets the first Thursday of each month, in the Room 131 of the Multi Service Center, 650 Leonard Street in Clearfield, beginning at noon. The next meeting will be held June 5 and all interested persons are invited to attend.