Slip and fall accidents represent the primary cause of missed work. Half of all at-home fatalities are caused by slip and fall accidents, and surprisingly, these are not from an elevation but happen at ground level, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI). Preventing slip and fall accidents can keep you and others out of the emergency room and can help you to avoid costly legal problems. 

Prevention of Slip and Fall Accidents Through Routine Maintenance

Property maintenance needs are an ongoing chore that can help you and those visiting your property avoid falls. Over time, sidewalks, driveways, and paved areas settle and crack, leading to uneven pavement. As the seasons change, wear and tear naturally occur. 

Prevent falls outside your home or business by clearing leaves, rocks, debris, roots, weeds, and sticks from your paths, driveways, walkways, and porches. Repair uneven pavement and other structural issues that might be a tripping hazard. 

Some daily tasks can help you maintain your property and keep it from being a slip, trip, and fall accident. Here are a few things you should include in your daily maintenance checklist: 

• Keep debris off the floors. Something as insignificant as a paper towel on the floor can quickly lead to an accident with one wrong step. Make sure everything that should make it to the trashcan does.
• Clean your tile, wood, and linoleum floors to keep anything slick or slippery cleaned up so it does not cause anyone to fall. Spills happen, especially in business settings. Make sure they are promptly cleaned. 
• Keep clutter at bay. It is easier to miss a step or trip and fall when there is clutter and when areas are congested. Keep things tidy so that there is room to navigate an area easily. 

Making Carpeted Areas Safer

A major cause of slip and fall accidents is rugs and mats. You can minimize the risk of falling due to a rug slipping by adding gripper pads beneath them. This will improve traction and make them less likely to move out of their intended spot. 

Carpets should be secure. Make sure there are no lumps or bumps and that the corners and edges are all fastened into place. 

Preventing Falls on Stairs

While most accidents happen at a single level, rather than due to stairs or elevation issues, you can prevent the falls that might happen on stairs by employing a few safety measures. To make the stairway in your home or business safer, listed below are a few helpful tips: 

• Handrails: By installing handrails and banisters, typically required by local building codes, you give people using the stairs something to hold on to. Make sure the rails are long enough and that they are installed securely so they do not become a hazard themselves. Sturdy handrails make staircases much safer. 
• Make sure the stairs are clear. Anything that may have been placed on the staircase so that they do not create a tripping hazard.
• Use caution when climbing stairs. No need to take them two at a time. Be cautious and climb stairs slowly.
• No slip stair treads bolt on and have an abrasive coating that encourages traction, which can reduce the possibility of an accident significantly.
• Stairs should be appropriately designed and should meet building codes. Consult the IRC and IBC for minimum and maximum stair riser tread depths and angles. 

Well-Lit Areas For Safety

Being able to see where one is walking can do wonders for avoiding falls. Make sure that every area of your home or business is well lit, inside and outside. Walk around your property and inspect lights and bulbs regularly and promptly change burned out light bulbs and address other problems.

If there are trees or bushes that need trimming so that lighting is more effective, take the time to do that or to call a landscaper to do it for you. By inspecting your property and correcting problematic issues, you can avoid liability if a fall occurs on your property. 

Loose Wires and Cords Cause Falls

We all use technology constantly. It may be a speaker, a charging station, a drop cord for tools, or the cords on lamps and other appliances, but they should be in a place that is unlikely to interfere with walking or moving about. If these cords are in an area that could cause a slip and fall accident, they should be secured. 

Running wires through the walls is the best way to reduce the chances of a falling accident, but securing them to the ground may also help. Make sure if wires must be crossed, that is evident, and that traffic through the area understands they are there and how to avoid them.

Take Care of Hazards Created by Weather Conditions

Ice and snow can create hazardous conditions for driving and walking. Make sure to clear ice and water from your walkways and from areas where people might walk. You cannot control the weather, but you can take care of the messes it creates inside your property. 

Create an Environment of Safety 

You can create a home or business environment that is safe for your residents, guests, employees, or visitors by making some simple rules and enforcing them. Keep the lights on. Dim lighting can cause people to miss obstacles they would have otherwise seen. This also goes for wearing sunglasses in dimly lit areas. 

Walking in socks, without tread, can be quite slippery. Make sure everyone keeps their shoes on. You want to ensure that falls do not happen on your watch. 

Keep clutter to a minimum. Everything should have its place. If you have employees or guests who bring their purses, bags, or totes, make sure there is somewhere for them to store them that is out of the way and does not create an obstacle. 

Look around, assess the area, and see how you can improve conditions to ensure slips and falls do not happen because of something you could have prevented.

If you need help, reach out to a Denver slip and fall lawyer today. They’ll be able to review your case and help advise you on the best way to navigate the legal system to protect your rights.