Reducing The Risk of an Accident In The Home

As you enter retirement, the chances of having an accident in the home increase dramatically. There are over 2 million accidents in the home every year, and thousands of these end in tragedy. At the very least, you can expect to sustain injuries as a result of accidents in the home, so it is definitely something that you want to avoid!

Keep Tidy

It sounds obvious, but many accidents in the home are caused by mounting clutter that has been left for someone to trip over. Clearing these items away when they are not in use will go some way towards avoiding the risk of accidents in the home. This is especially the case on the stairs,as things are often left there for someone to take upstairs at a later date.

Avoid Slippy Surfaces

This is another obvious piece of advice, but it is another one that results in many nasty injuries (including broken and dislocated bones). Most of us know better than to walk on wet floors, but if the floor is only partially wet, it can be difficult to tell. Bear in mind that floors don't need to be fully wet to be dangerous - if a drink or other liquid has been spilt in just one area of the floor, it can cause major problems if someone steps on it.

If you wear footwear around the house, this is another consideration. Some shoes and socks can cause your feet to lose grip depending on the floor surface, and this can easily result in skidding and sliding. If you have balance problems, this can be a recipe for disaster.

Vision

It is important to have adequate lighting in all rooms, especially if you suffer from vision problems. On a similar note, you should have your eyes tested regularly to pick up on age-related vision problems. Even if you have never had problems with your eyesight previously, you may find that you now need to wear glasses to be able to see properly. If your vision is even the slightest bit fuzzy, it can alter your perception, which in turn can lead to accidents.

Staying Mobile

Generally speaking, the chances of having an accident in the home are less likely if you are fit and healthy. For this reason, regular health checks are a good idea. Taking dietary supplements (such as calcium or cod liver oil) can help with staying supple and mobile if you feel that you aren't getting enough of these from your diet. Regular exercise will also be beneficial, but don't overdo it!

What if I Still Have an Accident?

It's possible to have an accident in the home even when you have done your best to avoid the possibility. If this happens to you, it's a good idea to book an appointment with a nurse or GP, as he or she can check you over to make sure that you haven't sustained any injuries.

Reducing the risk of injuries caused by accidents in the home during your retirement years doesn't need to be challenging. Most of the time, it is simply common-sense judgements that will prevent the chances of anyone in your home having an accident.