CSI: Index Anti Social Behaviour Fear of Crime Home Safety Personal Safety Problem Neighbours Vehicles Domestic Abuse Child Safety Slips, Trips & Falls	Slips, Trips and Falls Introduction General Advice Advice for Older People Links Introduction Each year there are about 2.7 million accidents in the home which necessitate a visit to hospital. Of these accidents almost 4,000 are fatal. By far the biggest cause of these accidents are falls, which account for 40% of the non-fatal injuries and 46% of all deaths. Most deaths from falls involve the older age groups with nearly 80% of the victims aged over 65 and only 5% under the age of 40. Every five hours an older person is killed by an accidental fall in the home – this is the equivalent to 1,500 people dying every year. Over 300,000 pensioners are so seriously injured by a fall in their home that they require hospital treatment. From DTI Home Safety Network Most people think that accidents just happen but the reality is that there are always precautions we can take: small steps that make a big difference. General Advice from NHS Direct Small changes in and around the home can make a big difference in reducing accidents: Mop up spills promptly. Remove clutter, trailing wires, frayed carpet. Consider getting handrails for the bathroom, and other household aids. Use non-slip mats and rugs. Use high wattage bulbs so you can see. Organise your home and rearrange things so that you keep climbing, stretching, and bending to a minimum, and don’t bump into things. Advice for older people Regular eye tests - separate types of glasses are better than bifocals or varifocals. Take exercise, keep physically active, and keep muscles as strong as possible. Take fewer risks in your routine, slow down, take things gradually. Look after your feet, and wear well-fitting sensible shoes with thin soles, high sides and good grip. Don’t walk on slippery floors in socks or tights. Avoid wearing loose-fitting trailing clothes which might trip you up. Get a flu jab, being unwell can make people more prone to fall. Don’t mix alcohol with medication, may cause dizziness and loss of balance. Let your GP know if you feel dizzy, review your medication with your GP regularly. If you feel unwell, let your family, friend, or neighbour know. Jerky movements may make you feel dizzy, particularly if you have arthritis. Keep your home warm, cold muscles lead to accidents. Have enough calcium and vitamin D in the diet to keep bones strong, reduce fracture risk - calcium is found in dairy products (choose lower fat ones), vitamin D in oily fish and meat, but is added to cereals and can be formed by exposure to sunlight – or use a vitamin supplements. Hip protectors - worn under clothes, reduces risk of hip fracture by at least 50 %. Get help to do things you can’t do safely. Consider using a personal fall alarm system.