Falls are a serious event that can lead to injury and a hospital visit. Don’t let a fall upset your holiday. Let’s discuss why falls increase during the holiday season and what you can do to prevent a fall.
Holiday Balance Hazards
Decorating the house for the season is one of the most cherished holiday traditions: putting lights on the house, setting out candles, getting a Christmas tree, wrapping presents and displaying them. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 60,000 visits to doctors’ offices, emergency rooms, and clinics in 2019, specifically for falls related to holiday decorating. Falling off ladders, tumbling off a chair or stool while decorating the tree and tripping over floor decorations and extension cords are all common.
Holiday parties come with their own set of risks. Many holiday parties need to add extra chairs to a socializing or dining area, taking up valuable floor space. This is especially difficult if you’re accustomed to a room layout and trip over a chair that you’re not used to seeing in that spot. Carrying luggage to a loved one’s home for a long holiday stay can cause you to lose balance or weaken the back, neck and shoulders. Not to mention that drinking alcohol can increase your chance of falling, and there are often libations at holiday parties.
How to Prevent Falls
The most important way to prevent falls is to stay vigilant. Sometimes, the merrymaking of the holidays causes us to let our guard down, but you can prevent injuries by remaining alert and cautious. Here are some quick prevention tips:
- Ask someone else to do the decorating. This is especially true for any decorating done up high, such as house lights and Christmas tree ornaments. You can be present and involved in the decorating without putting yourself in harm’s way.
- Make sure the surface is steady. If you must stand on a ladder or stool, ensure that all four legs of your ladder or stool are on steady ground and that there are no loose screws or steps.
- Clear walking paths. Even if furniture is rearranged, boxes are strewn everywhere and an extension cord is snaking across the room, make sure there’s a clear pathway for walking in every room.
- Use good lighting. Visibility plays a significant role in fall safety. Make sure those pathways are well-lit and easy to see.
- Use a cane or walker. Aids like canes or walkers are incredibly helpful, especially if you’re staying somewhere else where you’re less familiar with the layout.
- Wear your glasses and hearing aids. Both of these help with balance and awareness.
Most importantly, advocate for yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance if you need it.
If you have been feeling unsteady on your feet and are concerned about the hazards of the festive season, consult with a balance specialist. They can create a customized treatment plan and determine if you have any balance disorders that could increase your fall risk. Be merry, bright and steady on your feet this holiday season. Call Southwestern Hearing & Balance today.