How to prevent falls
Many older adults who are hospitalized for a fall never regain their former level of independence. Losing your independence — it’s one of the biggest fears you may have about aging. Falling is one of the most common causes. Use this checklist to take a fall-prevention inventory of your home:
• All rooms
Keep electrical cords and furniture out of walking paths. Fasten carpets to the floor with tape or tacks. Don’t use throw rugs.
• Stairways
Make sure that stairways are well lighted with sturdy handrails. Carpet runners should not be loose. If you have a vision problem, apply bright tape to the first and last steps.
• Bathrooms
Install grab handles and nonskid mats inside and just outside your shower and tub and near the toilet. Shower chairs and bath benches minimize the risk of falling.
• Kitchens
Don’t use difficult-to-reach shelves. Never stand on a chair. Use nonskid floor wax and wipe up spills immediately.
• Bedrooms
Put a light switch by the door and by your bed so you don’t have to walk across the room to turn on a light. Plug night lights into electrical outlets in bedrooms, halls and bathrooms.
Preventing yardwork mishaps
Follow these easy steps:
• Save your back
Choose tools with handles long enough to allow you to work without bending over. Don’t lift oversized packages of fertilizer or sod. Use a wheelbarrow or just buy smaller packages.
• Wear sunscreen
Avoid sunburn by using sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15.
• Skip the scents
Perfume, scented hair spray or lotion attracts stinging insects.
• Wear light-colored, well-fitting clothes
Bright colors attract insects, too. And loose clothes allow insects access to your skin.
• Choose sensible shoes
Wear closed-toe, sturdy, nonskid shoes to prevent injuries from lawn mowers.
• Turn off the lawn mower motor
Then unclog, adjust or fix the equipment. Before refueling, allow the motor to cool for several minutes. Don’t smoke.
• Handle chemicals carefully
Before spraying bug or weed killers, wait for calm weather. Wind can blow chemicals back toward you and irritate your skin. Wear protective goggles, gloves, full-length pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
Treating puncture wounds
A puncture wound — for example, from stepping on a nail — usually doesn’t result in excessive bleeding. The wound may seem to close almost instantly, but it may still be dangerous because of the risk of infection. If the puncture is deep, contaminated, or the result of an animal or human bite, seek medical attention right away. Remember these tips:
• Apply gentle pressure if there’s bleeding
Press down on the wound using a clean soft cloth. If the wound was deep enough to draw blood, especially if it spurts or continues to flow after several minutes of pressure — seek medical attention immediately.
• Clean the wound
Rinse the wound under running water to help remove debris and bacteria. Don’t use soap — it can irritate the wound. If dirt or debris remains in the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. If you can’t remove all the debris, see your doctor. To clean the area around the wound, use soap and a washcloth.
• Apply an antibiotic
After cleaning the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin to help keep the surface moist. These products discourage infection. If a rash appears, stop using the product.
• Cover the wound
Bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. Change the dressing at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty. If you’re allergic to adhesive, use adhesive-free dressings or sterile gauze and hypoallergenic paper tape.
• Watch for signs of infection
See your doctor if the wound doesn’t heal or if you notice redness, drainage, warmth or swelling.
• Keep tetanus booster shots up to date
Adults generally need tetanus boosters every 10 years. If you have a deep or dirty cut or wound, and you haven’t had a tetanus shot within five years, your doctor may recommend a booster.
Do’s and don’ts for minor burns
Remember these tips:
• Do cool the burn
Hold the burned area under cold running water for about 15 to 20 minutes. If impractical, immerse the burn in cold water or cover it with cold compresses.
• Don’t put ice directly on the burn
Putting ice directly on a burn can cause frostbite and further damage your skin.
• Do consider a lotion and pain relievers
Once a burn is completely cooled, apply a lotion or moisturizer to soothe the area and prevent dryness. For sunburn, try 1 percent hydrocortisone cream or an anesthetic cream. An over-thecounter pain reliever, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen (Aleve, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may help.
• Don’t use butter
Putting butter on burned skin holds heat in the tissue and may cause more damage. Applying butter increases your chance of infection.
• Do bandage a burn
Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Wrap loosely to avoid putting too much pressure on the burn. Bandaging keeps air off the burn and reduces pain.
• Don’t break blisters
However, if the area is tender, snip a tiny hole in the blister with a small scissors that has been sterilized in alcohol. If the blister is broken, wash the area with mild antibacterial soap and water, then apply an antibiotic ointment and a gauze bandage.
Staying clear of lightning
In the United States, hundreds of people are injured or killed by lightning each year. To protect yourself:
• Stay inside your home or an enclosed building
Keep away from doors, windows and anything that conducts electricity.
• Use the 30-30 rule if you’re caught outside
If your view of the storm isn’t obstructed and you see lightning, count how long it takes until you hear thunder. If it’s 30 seconds or less, seek a safer location right away. If you can’t see the lightning but you hear thunder, go to a safer location.
• Avoid trees or tall isolated structures
They’re lightning targets. Avoid small, open picnic pavilions and rain shelters. If you’re in an open area, drop anything you’re carrying, get away from other people, and crouch down as low as possible.
• Seek safety in a car
Close the windows. Cars with plastic or fiberglass roofs and sides won’t protect you. Get off bicycles and motorcycles.
• Don’t touch metal objects
Drop metal items, such as golf clubs, tools or tennis rackets, which conduct lightning.
• Don’t mix water with lightning
Get out of and away from water — it conducts electricity.
Don’t wash your hands, and don’t do the dishes or the laundry. Get out of the shower or tub.
• Turn it off and hang it up
Don’t use electrical appliances or talk on the phone. Lightning can follow electrical wires and phone lines into your home.
Handling a medical emergency at home
Keep the numbers of emergency services, such as your doctor, fire department and police, next to your phone. If your area is served by 911, call that number first.
• Stay calm
Speak slowly and clearly when describing the incident.
• Be exact about your location
Give your name, phone number, address, apartment number, city or town, and directions, including landmarks or cross streets.
• Describe the type of help you need
Is it medical, police or fire assistance?
• Give details about the victim’s condition
Is the person bleeding severely? Choking? Unconscious? How long ago did the incident occur?
• Describe first aid
If someone else is present and giving first aid, what kind is it? Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or other emergency care?
• Describe the victim’s location
Is he or she in the upstairs bedroom? Downstairs on the bathroom floor?
• Listen carefully
Then write down instructions. Ask the dispatcher to repeat the information.
• Don’t hang up too soon
Wait until the dispatcher tells you to hang up.
• Make sure your house number is clearly visible
If it’s dark, turn a light on outdoors to show your house number.
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