Top tips to avoid falls

Did you know that at least a third of all falls in older people happen at home? And that they usually involve something as obvious as tripping over a loose rug? Know how to protect yourself.

Just as parents of toddlers are urged to crawl around looking for danger spots, it can be a good idea for adults to "walk the walk" around the house and garden, in strong daylight, alert to spotting potential hazards. Here are some obvious ones:

• Loose objects on floors or pathways
• Trailing electric and telephone cables
• Slippery floors and baths
• Rickety furniture
• Worn carpets, especially on stairs and landings
• Poor lighting
• Loose rugs
• Poorly placed furniture, such as low coffee tables
• Lack of adequate handrails on stairs and in bathrooms

• Keep floors tidy — remove all stray objects and find places to store them.
• Move or tape down electric and telephone cables.
• Arrange furniture to give a clear path in and out of rooms.
• Get rid of oversized or awkward furniture that obstructs movement; footstools are a notorious tripping hazard.
• Remove castors from furniture feet or put castor cups under them to stop the piece of furniture from rolling around.
• Use carpet tape to anchor rugs securely — or remove them.
• Mend or replace worn and loose carpets.
• Lay non-slip mats in uncarpeted bathrooms and in front of the kitchen sink.
• Use an anti-skid mat in the bath or shower.
• Install any shower shelf at a sensible height so that soap or shampoo are easy to reach; many people slip in the shower while bending to retrieve a dropped item.
• Install grab bars in the bathroom, and handrails for inside or outside stairs.
• Don't polish or wax solid floors.
• Install adequate lighting both indoors and out, especially near stairs or steps.
• Ask a friend or relative to inspect your outdoor space for possible dangers each spring. Make sure that paths are kept free of moss, plants, leaves, garden implements, stones and other debris; and replace or repair cracked paving slabs and uneven walking surfaces.