Outdoor Fall Prevention | Senior Safety

General walking about

Risk Factors	Prevention
Outdoor falls are triggered by uneven sidewalk and street surfaces, curbs and slipping Falls commonly occur on porches and in parks Falls occur in parking lots and garages, particularly from tripping over short curbs often placed at the end of parking spaces	Install good lighting on stairs and walkways Ensure adequate lighting on perimeter of house Cover walk areas such as porches and steps with weatherproof and textured paint for more traction Reduce the chance of slipping by adding abrasive strips or rubber stair treads, or use deck paint that has a rough texture Keep steps, sidewalks, decks and porches free of obstacles/debris Always use handrails when stepping on stairs Be aware of changes in surroundings (especially changes in terrain); try to stay on level ground and watch for steps, holes, uneven areas and obstacles in pathways Check the height of curbs and steps before stepping up on them or down from them. Curbs with inclines or cutaways for bikes can be misleading.

Risk Factors

Prevention

Outdoor falls are triggered by uneven sidewalk and street surfaces, curbs and slipping
Falls commonly occur on porches and in parks
Falls occur in parking lots and garages, particularly from tripping over short curbs often placed at the end of parking spaces

Install good lighting on stairs and walkways
Ensure adequate lighting on perimeter of house
Cover walk areas such as porches and steps with weatherproof and textured paint for more traction
Reduce the chance of slipping by adding abrasive strips or rubber stair treads, or use deck paint that has a rough texture
Keep steps, sidewalks, decks and porches free of obstacles/debris
Always use handrails when stepping on stairs
Be aware of changes in surroundings (especially changes in terrain); try to stay on level ground and watch for steps, holes, uneven areas and obstacles in pathways
Check the height of curbs and steps before stepping up on them or down from them. Curbs with inclines or cutaways for bikes can be misleading.

Risk Factors	Prevention
Environment Poor outdoor lighting Vision problems or glare from sun Loose or uneven sidewalks, steps and driveways Inadequate or lack of stair railings Patio or deck furniture in walkways Inclement weather creating unsafe conditions (e.g., ice, snow accumulation, mud, etc.) Overgrown shrubs and tree branches	Wear correct eyewear and/or sunglasses when walking. Reading glasses or bifocals can distort potential hazards Install handrails for outdoor steps (must be reachable and graspable) Make sure stairs are even, in good shape and well-lit or repair or replace any damaged, loose or worn-down areas, and make sure no nails are protruding Paint the edges of the steps with a color that contrasts with the rest of the stairway Install sturdy railings around deck and patio areas Replace steps with ramp access, as needed Ensure outdoor furniture is out of the walkway Use ice melt and cat litter to provide traction on ice and snow. Be especially aware of black ice. Walk on grass if sidewalks or driveways appear slippery or uneven Hire or ask someone to help with shoveling, yard work and pruning of shrubs and trees Remove protruding tree roots and repair loose concrete areas on driveways

Risk Factors

Prevention

Poor outdoor lighting
Vision problems or glare from sun
Loose or uneven sidewalks, steps and driveways
Inadequate or lack of stair railings
Patio or deck furniture in walkways
Inclement weather creating unsafe conditions (e.g., ice, snow accumulation, mud, etc.)
Overgrown shrubs and tree branches

Wear correct eyewear and/or sunglasses when walking. Reading glasses or bifocals can distort potential hazards
Install handrails for outdoor steps (must be reachable and graspable)
Make sure stairs are even, in good shape and well-lit or repair or replace any damaged, loose or worn-down areas, and make sure no nails are protruding
Paint the edges of the steps with a color that contrasts with the rest of the stairway
Install sturdy railings around deck and patio areas
Replace steps with ramp access, as needed
Ensure outdoor furniture is out of the walkway
Use ice melt and cat litter to provide traction on ice and snow. Be especially aware of black ice.
Walk on grass if sidewalks or driveways appear slippery or uneven
Hire or ask someone to help with shoveling, yard work and pruning of shrubs and trees
Remove protruding tree roots and repair loose concrete areas on driveways