Falls the Most Common Accidents on Farmstead

Falls often result in serious injuries that require hospital emergency room treatment or untimely death, says Dr. Tony Cook, Extension 4-H program specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The best weapon against unintentional falls is staying alert. Your chances of falling are increased by haste, fatigue, emotional upset, illness, alcohol and drugs.

Here are some recommended measures to follow to help prevent falls.

Keep all stairs, floors and working surfaces in good repair and as free as possible of mud, manure or snow. Use deicers on outside walkways, steps and entrances.
Provide sturdy handrails where needed. Every stairway should have one.
Keep your workshop and other work areas clean and free of slipping and tripping hazards. Good housekeeping is a fall prevention-management tool.
Keep ladders in good condition. Use the 4-to-1 rule for straight ladders, setting the base 1 foot out from a wall or building for every 4 feet up.
Wear shoes or boots with nonskid soles and heels.
Provide plenty of light so you can see what you are doing and where you are going.
Do not work in a high place when the weather is windy, stormy, or when you are ill, tired or taking strong medication.

Source: Dr. Tony Cook, Extension 4-H Program Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-2233