Fall Safety Without the Fright

Fall is a beautiful time of year, but it also comes with a few seasonal hazards. Wet leaves, darker evenings, slippery steps and yard work can all increase the chance of a slip, trip or strain.

Falls are more common than many people realize. In Canada, falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among adults 65 and older, and roughly 20% of older adults who live at home experience a fall each year.

In 2023/24, there were tens of thousands of fall-related hospitalizations among older adults in Canada. We don’t want you to be one of them! That’s why this month’s newsletter is focused on giving you easy-to-follow tips on staying safe in the spookiest month of the year!

Fall is a good time to do a quick safety check around the house. Make sure hallways and stairs are clear and well-lit at night, remove loose or curling area rugs, and check that all entrances and stairways are in good condition.

With the sun setting earlier, outdoor lighting is one of the best improvements you can make to reduce falls and stumbles. Add automatic lights so even when it gets dark outside, you have plenty of light to see where you’re stepping.

And remember, spending a few extra cents on outdoor lighting is always worth it when it reduces the risk of falling — so turn those lights on early and keep them on until bedtime!

Fall leaves may look pretty, but once they’re wet they can become surprisingly slippery. Keep stairs, sidewalks, porches and other high-traffic outdoor areas clear, especially after rain or (gasp) snow.

Along with keeping outdoor spaces free of wet, slippery leaves, resist the urge to step outside wearing slippers or Crocs – that “quick 30-second step outside to get the paper” can easily turn into an injury that takes months to recover from.

Raking can be more demanding on the body than it looks. Spending a whole afternoon twisting, reaching and hauling leaf bags can leave your back, shoulders and arms feeling it the next day.

If you are physically able to do the outdoor work, be sure to warm up before you start, switch sides regularly, take breaks and avoid overfilling bags. Spreading the job over a couple of shorter sessions is often much kinder to your body than tackling the whole yard at once. And, if you are not physically able to do the job, don’t!

A sudden sore back, stiff neck or aching knee can feel alarming, but pain doesn’t always mean something serious is wrong.

Many common muscle and joint injuries respond very well to movement, exercise and physiotherapy. If something isn’t settling down, feels unusual or is stopping you from doing the things you enjoy, it’s worth giving us a call and setting up an appointment.

A few simple precautions can help you enjoy everything fall has to offer without an unwanted slip, strain or scare.

And if something does happen or if those everyday aches and pains are beginning to rob you of doing the things you love, we’re here to help you.

Booking an appointment with our highly skilled and caring physiotherapy team is easy:

Have private insurance coverage? Our team is happy to help you understand your coverage and answer any questions you have before your first visit.

We hope to see you soon! Have a happy fall without any … falls!