Falls at home: BFU searches for culprits

Falls are by far the most common cause of accidents in Switzerland. More than 40 percent of them happen at home. Every year, 125,000 people are injured here when they fall. These falls have serious consequences, and not just for older adults.

Of the total of 14,500 people who are seriously injured each year when they fall, 7200 are of working age, i.e. between 17 and 64 years old. Some of these accidents end in disability. The bottom line is that working people account for about half of the costs associated with home and recreational accidents. Due to falls alone, the annual material costs in this age group amount to 1.4 millliarden francs.

Risk of falling can be greatly reduced

More than half of all falls among people between the ages of 17 and 64 happen on the same level. One fifth of all fall accidents occur on stairs and steps, and around one in four falls from a height. Although the latter occur less frequently, they often have more serious consequences. It is therefore worthwhile to get the sturdy stepladder or folding step out of the basement instead of climbing onto the stool standing around. In general, the risk of falling can be greatly reduced with simple measures. For example, the BFU advises that wet floors should always be dried immediately and that objects lying around that could become a tripping hazard should be removed.

National "wanted" notice

Such "offenders" who cause falls, the BFU now writes with a wink in a national campaign for the "Major manhunt" off. She looks for tripping hazards such as sneakers lying around, loose cables, stuffed animals or wobbly stools. In doing so, she points out that it's dangerous to leave something "short" on the stairs just because it's convenient and comfortable. All info on the subject of falls as well as a practical Checklist for a safe home the BFU has published in a Dossier on bfu.ch compiled.

Source: AAIB