A recent report by the Brain Injury Association of America lists falls as the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. They report that TBIs occur most often in children from infancy to four years of age occurring most often during accidental injuries at playgrounds, and also in adults over the age of 75 years, which occur most often in their own homes.
The Brain Injury Association offers a few tips to help prevent falls and brain injuries in your home:
- Remove all tripping hazards from your home – including loose cords, boxes, clutter, throw rugs, spills, and equipment or furniture that is in pathways.
- Walk into a room, in a hall or stairs, only when it is well-light.
- Install handrails on both sides of stairways – and use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs if you have young children in your home.
- Store items in closets and cabinets so that they are easy to reach – do not stand on chairs or boxes to reach an item.
- Install grab bars (if necessary) and use a rubber mat or nonskid adhesive strips in the tub or shower.
- Install window guards to keep young children from falling out of open windows.
- Maintain a regular physical activity program, if your doctor agrees, to improve lower body strength and balance.