A serious fall like the one describe above might not have happened to you, but you probably had “almost falls” and trips over your pet. Spinal fractures and head injuries commonly occur in the elderly as a result of slipping on spilled pasta sauce to tumbling outside a grocery store. When you’re bones become weaker, it can take one fall to completely take away your independence and mobility, which is scary.

Dogs and cats enjoy following their owners around the house, but it can become dangerous, especially if you’re walking down your steep flight of steps to the basement. If your pet knew how to stay, you would be able to take your time up and down the steps. Along with obedience training, there are some other ways to prevent falls.

• Shake a can of pennies when you go up and down the steps to deter your pet from following.
• Temporarily put your dog or cat in a crate before bringing in groceries or moving around furniture.
• Use a harness on your dog and a shorter leash. Make sure the harness has a metal ring at the top so the leash stays up near the dog’s shoulders instead of on the ground.

Granted accidents happen and the last thing you want to do is fall on your pet, but obedience training can keep your pet patient and less anxious about following your heels. This is especially important if yo have an elderly relative living with you.

• Pick up large and small items that litter the floor, especially in the high traffic areas. You never know what might cause you or a family member to fall, so it’s important to clean up spills immediately and keep rooms tidy. Keeping a trash can in every room can prevent people from tossing items onto the floor.
• Installing handrails, grab bars and other devices can provide some safety. You can put grab bars near the tub/shower as well as a shower bench or tub chair for elderly relatives staying with you. The bathroom is a place prone for slip and falls.
• Tape electronic cords along the wall and keep the cords out of hallways and other walkways. Although it might be convenient to tape the cord underneath a rug, this can be dangerous. The cord will create a small bump on top of the rug, which can promote trips and falls.
• Avoid using area rugs throughout your home, because it’s easy to trip on the corners of them since they’re not always flush with the floor. You will probably be surprised at how many rugs you have in your house.

Assessing your home regularly for fall prevention is important regardless of the ages of the individuals living with you. Depending on how bad the fall is even a young, healthy person can break a foot or twist an ankle. Following some of these tips can help reduce the risk of falling and ensure that your home is a safer place to be.