 Falls are not the exclusive
territory of the young ones. Slips and trips are the most common accidents in our kitchens
and bathrooms and can involve children and adults alike. Besides being painful they are
also dangerous and at times can be serious. One of the most effective ways to combat slips
and trips is to keep the home neat and tidy. All spills should be cleaned up immediately.
If you use a mop, wait for the area to dry properly before you walk on it again. Dry
spills like talcum powder, flour, detergent are equally dangerous. They should also be
swept off immediately. Litter like fruit skin, vegetable peel, paper bits and plastic bags
are no less dangerous. It is a good habit to put the litter always in the litterbag. And
remember never to throw it outside from windows.
 You can also trip on toys and games. So put things
neatly away after use. Don’t leave any floor level cupboard doors open; make sure
chairs are neatly pushed to the table. Any obstacle on the floor level can easily cause
someone to slip or trip and sustain serious injury. Always be careful when reaching up to
a high cupboard. Do not climb onto any handy piece of furniture to reach things at a
height. Be sure to use proper steps. Make sure they bear your weight and have a solid
non-toppling base. Never stand on collapsible chairs. Avoid storing too many or too heavy
items in cupboards at upper levels, as they can easily fall on some body and hurt them.
After use, always shut the cupboard door so that no one walks into it or bumps his
heads.
 Unsuitable footwear can also cause falls in the
kitchen. In addition you have the risk of dropped knives, spilled hot liquids and broken
glasses. The footwear to be worn in the house, especially in the kitchen, should be
closed-in and low-heeled with firm gripping soles. High heels, sandals, flip-flops or
shoes which do not fasten properly is inviting trouble. Ensure that the carpet or mat is
fixed properly without any loose ends and there are no torn patches.
Children are fascinated by water and love to
play with it. There is no harm if it is under the watchful eyes of an adult. Children are
top heavy and unsteady on their short legs. They are also highly curious and inquisitive.
They bend down in wash basin, bathtub and buckets full of water. It could be to retrieve
some toy or just to watch swirling water. Many overbalance, fall in head down and suffer
head injuries. Many accidental deaths of children have been reported. A child can fall
face down in a bucket containing water and drown in just inches of water. Wet bathroom
floors can also cause nasty slips and falls. Spilt talcum powder, oil, soap and shampoo
can also case slips.
How to avoid Slips, Trips and Falls:
1. Watch out for wet floors, loose carpeting,
floor boards and loose tiles.
2. Wipe up all spills immediately.
3. Wear appropriate footwear.
4. Pick up pencils, paper clips, toys, or any other similar object that may cause you to
slip.
5. Keep all the four legs of all the chairs and tables on the floor.
6. Don’t tilt back in a chair, it can result in a fall.
7. When retrieving something from a height, use a step ladder not a chair.
8. Inspect all chairs for loose screws and defective welds.
9. Beware of telephone and electrical leads lying across the floor.
10. Try a different layout, it may solve the problem.
11. On stairs use handrails and take one step at a time
12. Don’t hurry, specially near the corners.
13. Don’t store anything in an area where one may slip.
14. Use proper lighting everywhere.
(concluded)
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