Prevent Falls, Save Lives: 25% of Elderly Fall-Related Deaths
pine Webmaster of Pineapple
2008/12/25 06:42
508 topics published
Update Date: 2008/12/24 09:27 UHO Editorial Department
Is home truly a safe fortress and haven? People spend nearly 90% of their lives at home and in the office. However, due to limited knowledge about the safety and quality of building materials and interior decorations beneath their beautiful appearances, it's easy to overlook and develop health issues. According to Dr. Jiang Shoushan from the Nephrology Department of Shin Kong Hospital in his book "Don't Let Your House Kill Your Health," poor floor design leading to slips is one of the major threats to home health, with the mortality rate from falls even surpassing that of colon cancer!
Moreover, the elderly and young children are particularly vulnerable to falls due to poor design. While children recover relatively quickly from non-severe impacts under careful supervision, the prevalence of osteoporosis has significantly increased among adults over 40, with over 60% of those over 60 suffering from osteoporosis. A simple fall can have unimaginable consequences. Surveys show that falls on the same level account for about 25% of fatal accidents at home among the elderly. According to the Health Promotion Administration, aside from traffic accidents, falls are the second leading cause of accidental injuries among the elderly, with 460,000 elderly people having fallen in the past year, 125,000 of whom suffered dislocations, sprains, fractures, or were forced to bed, immobilized.
Dr. Song Yongkui, Chairman of the Osteoporosis Society, stated that most osteoporosis patients only discover their condition after a fracture, with postmenopausal women being at particularly high risk—about 76% have insufficient bone density, and 17% have osteoporosis. These patients, if not careful, can easily suffer greater harm from a slip, exacerbating fractures or even facing death. Therefore, it is advised to pay attention to home slip prevention to avoid greater injuries.
Liu Jiawen, a designer from Happy Space, pointed out, 'Areas prone to slipping at home include bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, and balconies, where water or soap can easily create hazards. From an interior design perspective, it's recommended to choose slip-resistant materials from the start, such as mosaic tiles with more seams or tiles with rough surfaces. However, not everyone has the opportunity to renovate, or may be renting and unable to make changes, or may have temporary needs due to pregnancy or injury. In such cases, convenient, replaceable anti-slip products can be used to enhance safety. Simply applying them to slippery areas at home can effectively prevent slipping.'
When choosing anti-slip products on the market, it's advisable to opt for reputable brands. Recently, a new type of anti-slip tape has been introduced, featuring various patterns and treated with 3M special adhesive, which is less likely to move when wet or soapy, adding to safety. These tapes can also be applied along main pathways to prevent children from falling. They are very convenient for DIY use, do not damage existing decor, and are more cost-effective compared to slip-resistant building materials.
Source:
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