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Fall Prevention

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among adults 65 and older. Fire departments can play an important role in reducing falls among this age group by promoting fall prevention in community safety outreach activities.

Did you know:

Each year, 1 in 4 older adults aged 65 and older experiences a fall, and people who fall once are 2 times more likely to fall again.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Share these fall prevention tips with older adults to make them aware of steps they can take to stay safe in their homes.

Messages to share

Click to copy message.
Remove boxes, newspapers, electrical cords and phone cords from walkways and stairs. Move coffee tables and magazine racks and plant stands from walkways.
Use nonslip mats in your bathtub or shower; consider using a bath seat. Install grab bars in your shower and tub.
To prevent falls, exercise to stay strong and have your vision checked.
Remove or tape down loose rugs.
Place night lights between your bedroom and the bathroom.
Turn on lights before using the stairs.
Make sure you have handrails on both sides of stairways.

Social media graphics and stock photos

firefighter removing electrical wire trip hazard for older adults

Pictographs

Pictographs can help overcome literacy barriers by communicating messages with pictures. Our pictographs will help you to communicate safety messages to high-risk populations.

don't leave folds to trip on in your rugs
option 1: remove the rug
option 2: take measures to ensure the rug stays in place