|
|
|
Stop Falls! Safety Quiz
Falls in the home are among the most common and yet most preventable accidents. PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, the Vancouver Fire Department, and Fire District Five want you to be safe.
Simple safety modifications at home can substantially cut the chances of falling. Let's work together to identify potential lighting hazards that are easy—and important—to fix.
IN THE BEDROOMS:
| Q |
Is the light near the bed hard to reach?
 |
• |
Place a lamp close to the bed where it is easy to reach.
|
| Q. |
Is the path from your bed to the bathroom dark? |
• |
Put in a nightlight so you can see where you’re walking. Some nightlights go on by themselves after dark. |
IN THE STAIRWAY:
| Q |
Are you missing a light over the stairway? |
• |
Have a handyman or an electrician put in an overhead light at the top and bottom of the stairs. |
| Q. |
Has the stairway light bulb burned out? |
• |
Have a friend or family member change the light bulb. |
| Q. |
Do you have only one light switch for your stairs (only at the top or at the bottom of the stairs)?
|
• |
Have a handyman or an electrician put in a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs. You can get light switches that glow.
|
OTHER ILLUMINATING IDEAS TO STOP FALLS:
- Improve the lighting in your home by using brighter bulbs (at least 60 watts). Use lamp shades or frosted bulbs to reduce glare.
- Use reflecting tape at the top and bottom of the stairs so you can see them better.
- Paint doorsills a different color to prevent tripping.
- Have your doctor or pharmacist look at all the medicines you take (even over-the-counter medicines) to make sure they won’t make you sleepy or dizzy.
- Have your vision checked at least once a year by an eye doctor. Poor vision can increase your risk of falling.
Back to Falls Prevention Main Page
|
|
|
|
