Deck the Halls, Don’t Contribute to Falls

As you get ready to break out your facility’s Christmas tree, take a second to review your decorating plans and ensure they won’t contribute to resident falls. According to the CDC, around 1,800 nursing home residents die from fall-related injuries every year.1

Ask yourself the following questions as you deck your halls:

• “Could our residents trip over these decorations or have trouble maneuvering around them with a walker or cane?” 
• “Am I adding any decorations to our banisters or hand rails that would make it difficult for residents to get a firm grip?”
• “Are our light cords tucked away from areas where residents walk? If the cords must cross hallways, are they secured with duct tape?”
• “Am I keeping my eyes open for any decorations that have fallen to the ground, creating a fall risk?” 
• “Do I have a trash can near where we are opening presents so that we can quickly dispose of paper and bows before residents trip over them?” 
• “Do our throw rugs have non-slip backings?” 
• “Do any of our decorations have flashing or pulsing lights on them that could cause residents to become disoriented and fall?” 

You should also stress the importance of safe decorating to your staff. Every year, about 6,000 people find themselves in the emergency room being treated for falls sustained while decorating.2 The majority of these falls came while people were on ladders, roofs, furniture (including step stools), stairs and porches.

Professional Medical can help you develop a comprehensive fall prevention strategy. To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager or give us a call at (800) 648-5190.

References
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls in Nursing Homes. Available at: 
http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/nursing.html. Accessed December November 20, 2013. 

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Study: Fall-Related Injuries During the Holiday Season, United States, 2000-2003. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/fs041210.htm. Accessed November 20, 2013.