BOPDHB Patient Resources Hip and Knee joint replacement book - June 2016 | Page 77
Take action and fight the 5 home hazards
Moss, rugs, power cords, chairs
and puddles - these are just 5 of the
many things responsible for over
280,000 serious falls around New
Zealand homes last year.
Find out how to take action and
Fight the 5 – you’ll see that it’s
surprisingly easy to avoid injury and
make your home a safer one.
1 Moss
Moss on outside steps, paths
and decks can be very slippery.
Action:
• Waterblast, scrub or spray
these areas with moss removal
products
• Cut trees and shrubs back to
prevent shade – conditions which
moss thrives in
• Highlight step edges with painted
strips
• Light any dim outside areas
• Build new decks with grooved
timber
• When painting decks, use nonslip paint or a grit-additive.
2 Power Cords
Snaking power cords, telephone
wires and general clutter are
easy to trip over.
Action:
• Get them out of harm’s way with
cord clips, quick-release power
cords or multi-boxes
• Secure any loose cords or wires
to the wall
• Tidy away general clutter, use
baskets and other storage
systems.
3 Rugs & Mats
Unsecured rugs and mats on
floors and stairs can cause falls.
Action:
• Secure them with anti-slip tape
or spray on a non-slip coating
• Use carpet grips for mats
• Repair damaged carpet on stairs
• If you’re buying a new rug, then
look for one with a non-slip
backing
• Wear shoes or slippers (rather
than socks) on wooden floors.
General advice
Preventing falls while at Home
4 Chairs
Chairs aren’t ladders and are
very unstable if you stand on
them.
Action:
• Use a ladder or step-ladder to
reach high objects
• Store heavy, regularly used
objects down lower
• Use long-life smoke alarms and
light bulbs so you don’t have to
change them so often.
5 Puddles
Wet areas are hazardous.
Action:
• Wipe up spills as soon as they
happen with mops, sponges or
cloths
• Use non-slip bath/shower mats
• Use floor mats to absorb any
excess water
• Install handrails to assist getting
out of the bath/shower
• If renovating, install non-slip
flooring in wet rooms (bathroom,
kitchen and laundry).
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