Preventing falls while at Home Take action and fight the 5 home hazards
Moss , rugs , power cords , chairs and puddles - these are just 5 of the many things responsible for over 280,000 serious falls around New Zealand homes last year .
Find out how to take action and Fight the 5 – you ’ ll see that it ’ s surprisingly easy to avoid injury and make your home a safer one .
1 Moss
Moss on outside steps , paths and decks can be very slippery .
Action :
• Waterblast , scrub or spray these areas with moss removal products
• Cut trees and shrubs back to prevent shade – conditions which moss thrives in
• Highlight step edges with painted strips
• Light any dim outside areas
• Build new decks with grooved timber
• When painting decks , use nonslip paint or a grit-additive .
2 Power Cords
Snaking power cords , telephone wires and general clutter are easy to trip over .
Action :
• Get them out of harm ’ s way with cord clips , quick-release power cords or multi-boxes
• Secure any loose cords or wires to the wall
• Tidy away general clutter , use baskets and other storage systems .
3 Rugs & Mats
Unsecured rugs and mats on floors and stairs can cause falls .
Action :
• Secure them with anti-slip tape or spray on a non-slip coating
• Use carpet grips for mats
• Repair damaged carpet on stairs
• If you ’ re buying a new rug , then look for one with a non-slip backing
• Wear shoes or slippers ( rather than socks ) on wooden floors .
4 Chairs
Chairs aren ’ t ladders and are very unstable if you stand on them .
Action :
• Use a ladder or step-ladder to reach high objects
• Store heavy , regularly used objects down lower
• Use long-life smoke alarms and light bulbs so you don ’ t have to change them so often .
5 Puddles
Wet areas are hazardous .
Action :
• Wipe up spills as soon as they happen with mops , sponges or cloths
• Use non-slip bath / shower mats
• Use floor mats to absorb any excess water
• Install handrails to assist getting out of the bath / shower
• If renovating , install non-slip flooring in wet rooms ( bathroom , kitchen and laundry ).
General advice
47