Be safe during spring clean-up

Spring has sprung, and the spry among us are moving around a lot more. Spring cleanup is happening in yards throughout the Mat-Su, and many of the people tending to their yards and homes are elderly or injured. While it is impossible to prevent all injuries, there are many measures everyone can take to cut back on their risk of spending spring breakup in a cast or bed-ridden.

Begin a regular exercise program

Exercise is one of the most important ways to lower your chances of falling. It makes you stronger and helps you feel better. Exercises that improve balance and coordination (like Tai Chi) are the most helpful. Lack of exercise leads to weakness and increases your chances of falling. Ask your doctor or health-care provider

about the best type of exercise program for you.

Have your health-care provider review your medicines

Have your doctor or pharmacist review all the medicines you take, even over-the-counter medicines. As you get older, the way medicines work in your body can change. Some medicines, or combinations of medicines, can make you sleepy or dizzy and can cause you to fall.

Have your vision checked

Have your eyes checked at least once a year. You may be wearing the wrong glasses or have a condition like glaucoma or cataracts that limits your vision. Poor vision can increase your chances of falling.

Make your home safer

About half of all falls happen at home. To make your home safer:

• Remove things you can trip over (like papers, books, clothes, and shoes) from stairs and places where you walk.

• Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping.

• Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool.

• Have grab bars put in next to your toilet and in the tub or shower.

• Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.

• Improve the lighting in your home. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well. Hang light-weight curtains or shades to reduce glare.

• Have handrails and lights put in on all staircases.

• Wear shoes both inside and outside the house. Avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers.

Every year, more than one out of every three elderly people fall and are injured. Nearly 25 percent of people who suffer hip fractures die within a year of the fall, and another 50 percent never fully recover the independence they enjoyed prior. Falls constitute the second largest group of injury deaths for people between 55 and 79 years of age, and there are measures you can employ to better avoid them. Follow the advice above, research for other ideas at various websites such as www.cdc.gov or by speaking with your physician. If you need help with arranging your home to be more safe, contact family and friends to help you so you are not overworking yourself.

Christian M. Hartley is a lieutenant and responder with the Houston Fire Department, as well as the public information officer and training officer. Questions are welcome at hartley@myopinionmatters.org.