Unless you’re prone to tripping or have a medical condition, a slip and fall is probably the least of your worries. However, slip and falls are more common than you may think. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, falls account for more than 8 million hospital emergency room visits, representing the leading cause of visits at 21.3%. Here are some places you should be more cautious to avoid a slip & fall accident.
- Sidewalks
Sidewalks have uneven surfaces with cracks and gaps. They can also have slanted concrete and can become slippery when wet. It’s important to stay vigilant when walking on them, but property owners also have a responsibility to keep them in good repair.
- Parking lots
Much like sidewalks, uneven pavement and cracks can catch people walking by off guard. Poor lighting or a lack thereof can also cause these hazards to be hidden.
- Stairs
Stairs can be incredibly dangerous. An old set of stairs with worn or rounded steps, loose or missing railings, frayed or missing carpeting, and even poor lighting are asking for someone to trip and fall down. Also, watch out for spilled liquids that may cause you to lose your footing.
- Elevators & escalators
If elevators or escalators are not properly maintained they can often stop and start suddenly, causing someone to lose balance and fall. In addition, people get their fingers, feet, and clothing caught in the moving mechanisms, causing life-threatening falls and injuries.
- Restaurants
Unmarked wet floors from cleaning or spills are the most common ways that people fall inside a restaurant. Debris and other things that drop on floors can cause unsuspecting customers to slip and injure themselves. Worn or torn carpet can also catch shoes causing a fall.
- Gas stations
Gas stations receive heavy foot traffic meaning water and gasoline spills can go unnoticed until it’s too late.
- Medical treatment facilities
While people enter a healthcare facility hoping to be treated for injuries, they can also very easily become injured further. Patients that are not in good health may be more susceptible to a slip and fall here, but anyone can become injured by a number of hazards around these facilities. Also, those who are new to walkers, scooters, and crutches are more susceptible to accidents.
- Worksites
Workers can slip and fall at work due to a number of causes. Wet floors, damaged flooring, worn steps, loose handrails, and debris are some common factors. Employees in certain industries also risk a slip & fall from unsafe ladders, scaffolding, metal surfaces, and much more.
- Sporting events & facilities
Being at a sporting event is a fun and exciting experience, but it can distract you from seeing a tripping hazard. Also, fans may try and climb over seats and other fans to get to where they need to go. Focus on your surroundings while you move through the crowds, then once you’re in your seat you can focus on the game.
- Theaters
Be careful walking through a dark theater, especially on dimly lit stairs. Also, someone may have spilled popcorn, other snacks, or their drinks in the aisles, and sometimes the staff doesn’t do a proper job of cleaning up in between showings.
