Guard Against Slips & Trips with this Fall Prevention Quiz
1) In 2002, how many people died as a result of a fall?
1. 1,000
2. 5,100
3. 14,500
Answer: c. According to the National Safety Council, only motor-vehicle
crashes and poisoning cause more unintentional injury (accidental) deaths. One in
five visitors to a hospital emergency room for an injury is there because of a fall.
2) What percentage of falls occur at home?
1. 10%
2. 25%
3. over 50%
Answer: c. So says NSC publication, Injury Facts®. Since more time
is spent at home than anywhere else, that's where falls are more likely to occur,
especially if steps are not taken to reduce the risk.
3) True or False? Most fatalities resulting from falls involve sporting events like
mountain climbing or parachuting.
Answer: False. Fewer than 4 percent of falling fatalities involve
sports. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), more people
died as a result of tripping on a level surface than in mountain climbing.
4) What accounts for the most falls that result in death?
1. Ladders
2. Stairs and steps
3. Slippery tile
Answer: b. More falling deaths result from stairs and steps, according
to the CPSC. Beds rate second, while ladders are in third place.
To reduce injuries on stairs and steps, consider these modifications:
- Make sure stair height and tread widths are adequate, and each step is identical
in size.
- Install a second handrail if the stairs are wide enough.
- Install light switches at the top and bottom of stairs.
- Be sure carpeting is tightly woven and installed so it doesn't move or slide.
5) If you're over 65, what are your chances of falling?
1. 1 in 20
2. 1 in 5
3. 1 in 3
Answer: c. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), seniors have a 33 percent chance of falling in any year. Older adults are
five times more likely to be hospitalized for a fall-related injury than for other
injury-related reasons.
6) True or False? Seniors account for substantially more falling injuries than children.
Answer: False. The NSC publication, Injury Facts® indicates there
were 11,081,000 falling injuries. Of this total, seniors age 65 and older account
for 2,459,000, and children under 12 account for 2,173,000.
Other fall-prevention tactics include:
- Supervise babies on beds and changing tables, and buckle them into high chairs and
strollers.
- Make porches, balconies and fire escapes off limits. Use safety gates.
- Become familiar with window safety
information.
- Space pickets on stair rails 4 inches or less apart to prevent infants from slipping
through.
7) True or False? You should have your hearing checked annually to prevent a fall.
Answer: True. Hearing plays an important role in balance and space
perception. You should also have your eyes checked regularly.
8) True or False? Depression causes people to fall more often.
Answer: False. However, some medications used to treat depression
and other diseases can leave people dizzy or disoriented and more susceptible to
falls. Review your medications with your doctor to see if they cause balance problems.
What's Your Score?
- 6 to 8 correct: Standing tall!
- 4 to 5: Have a good grip
- 2 to 3: On shaky ground
- 0 to 1: Falling down
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