One of the major causes of household falls comes from tripping over objects on the ground.  You may feel that there is not much you can do if you stumble over something, but in fact there are a number of things you can do to minimize your risk of a fall.

Clutter

The first thing you can do is to keep clutter off the floor.  Clothes, mail, unworn shoes, toys, towels…the list is endless.  If you struggle with clutter, put a laundry hamper where you tend to dump your clothes, a recycling pail where the junk mail accumulates, hooks to hang towels, etc to make the job easier.

But it belongs on the floor!

There are things on the floor which we might not consider “clutter” but can cause a trip risk anyway.  Look carefully at throw rugs, mats, etc.  Do they lie flat, or are they easily rumpled, or do they have curled lips that catch your toes?  Do your decorative cushions stay on your couch, or are they usually thrown onto the floor and out of the way?

Throw out old and damaged mats.  Don’t feel badly about giving away rugs or pillows that you don’t use.  Or, put them in storage until such time as they are needed.

Cords

Power cords are another common trip hazard.  Tuck them out of the way as much as possible.  For example, you should never have to walk across a power cord to enter or leave a room.  Bundle up power cords, computer cables, etc. so they lie neatly and are less likely to become tangled.

Clothes

A trip hazard that you might not expect comes from your own clothing!  Long flannel pyjamas, long pants, long skirts—clothing that’s too long can catch your toes and cause you to trip!  If your pant hems tend to cover your heels when you walk, you may also be more likely to slip.  Shorten pants that pose a trip risk.  Or, donate them in favour of something with a better fit.

Keep shoes in racks or on shoe trays to minimize your risk of stumbling over shoes, particularly in the entryway of your home.  Keep them in a closet or somewhere else out of the main pathways through your home so that you are not stumbling over the racks or trays.

What if I have a fall?

If you have a fall, call your chiropractor right away.  The sooner we can treat you, the sooner we can assist you in your recovery.  Contact Sheppard Chiropractic Centre at (506) 635-8182 or (506) 847-7172.