"...When Autumn Leaves Start To Fall..." - Let's make sure that is all that is falling.
Being outside in beautiful fall weather is captivating, but it can bring on a new set of health risks for seniors.
We have prepared an autumn safety list to help you out.
The Kabb Law Autumn Safety List For Seniors
1. Clear Outdoor Walkways
Autumn leaves are beautiful but fallen wet autumn leaves are slippery and fall risk. Keep all your outdoor walkways free of these. Hire a landscaping service to rake regularly and sweep the walkways. This is a good time to think about installing handrails and/or non-skid surfaces on your home’s exterior stairs.
2. Update Your Lighting
Remember that daylight savings time ends Sunday, November 7, 2021, and the days are getting shorter. Reliance on artificial light is the name of the autumn game.
To be safe, check out the lighting in your home to make sure it is well-lit.
(a) plug nightlights into hallways, bedrooms, bathrooms, and any other area that needs to be accessible after daylight dwindles.
(b) make sure that there is a clutter-free pathway to all wall light switches.
(c) Check the batteries in all stored flashlights and make sure that they are easy to get to in case of an emergency.
(d) Stock up on candles light bulbs and batteries.
3. Enjoy Local Healthy Produce
Eat bountifully in the fall. This is the time to really enjoy the locally grown fruits and vegetables. Indulge and relish the beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, sweet potato, pumpkin, apples, cranberries, eggplant, and kale which are all grown here in Ohio. But stay away from the sugary treats and sweets which are available in all the pumpkin spice temptations.
4. Dress Warmly and Wisely
Fall fashion is here which means making sure that plenty of sweaters and lightweight jackets are at hand. Layering is the game plan for autumn. Pay special attention to your footwear. You need to have properly fitted non-skid boots with good traction which can help prevent slipping and falling. You also might want to consider using assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and canes.
5. Pre-Winter Heating Maintenance
Wipe out the possibility of home hazards. Begin with scheduling your pre-winter heating maintenance appointment and adjust your thermostats to be ready for seasonal temperature fluctuations. If you have a fireplace, have the chimney inspected and cleaned. If space heaters are a necessity, read and follow the enclosed directions, make sure that they are never left unattended, and that there are at least three feet between the device and anything flammable, such as a wall or curtains, and that they are never left unattended. Also, never use an extension cord on a space heater.
6. Pre-Winter Fire Safety Check
Detect and defer danger before it starts. Now is the time of the year for checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Change the batteries in these devices and test them to make sure they’re in good working order. Plan on doing detector testing every month of the fall and winter.
7. Disease Prevention
Stay healthy. Wash your hands often or use a hand sanitizer. Health professionals say that handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of disease. It is critical to get your flu shot now. Also, check with your doctor about the pneumonia vaccine. Lastly, get your medicine cabinet in order. Make sure that you have plenty of hand sanitizer, antiseptic wipes, Kleenex, vitamin C, and zinc.
Autumn Safety is Achievable
By following these autumn safety tips and suggestions, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful season of Autumn, a favorite with many of our staff here at Kabb Law.
If you have some tried and true Fall readiness tips that you’d like to share with us, please call us at 216-991-5222.
