When it comes to falls, people do not always recognize the danger and potential for serious injury. Everyone falls and not every fall leads to injury at all. However, when it does, those injuries can be catastrophic.
What do you need to know about slip and fall injuries? To know the potential injuries and risk factors can help you understand the seriousness of a fall.
When are you more likely to fall?
The CDC explains there are risk factors that may contribute to an individual being more at risk to a dangerous slip and fall. The risk factors include:
- Problems with vision
- Medication use
- Balance problems
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Weakened lower limbs
In addition, there are hazards that make a person more likely to fall. For instance, uneven steps or broken stairs are serious hazards. Likewise, throw rugs and clutter can get in a person’s way. For those who have a variety of risk factors, the risk of a fall increases.
What can occur during or after a fall?
One in five falls leads to a serious injury. These injuries are typically broken bones or head injuries. Common broken bones include ankle, wrist and hip fractures. If you do not catch yourself, it is likely that you could also strike your head on the floor. This can result in concussions, fractures or other serious head injuries.
A fall may not result in a physical injury but could result in a person’s fear of falling. To fear falling is to cut down on every day functions. People may become less active in fear of the next fall and hence become weaker and more likely to fall.