1. Florida Injury Prevention Programs for Seniors (FLIPS) Falls Prevention, Fire Safety, and Poison, Medication, & Food Safety

2. The Facts— Are Falls Really A Problem? 1 in 3 seniors fall each year. Those who have fallen once have a greater chance of falling later. In 1999, ~21,000 seniors in Florida were hospitalized due to hip fractures from falls. Indirect costs: loss of independence and decreased quality of life.

3. Lifestyle Behaviors— Balance You need good vision to help stabilize you. Your feet must be able to feel the ground. Exercise and strength training Appropriate footwear Talk to your doctor about medications that make you dizzy.

4. Lifestyle Behaviors— Exercise & Nutrition 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week (2 miles of brisk walking or dancing) Eat the right foods and get plenty of calcium and vitamin D Drink plenty of water Avoid alcoholic beverages

5. Lifestyle Behaviors—Confident Attitude Downward Cycle of Fear – move slower/ avoid movements – decreased strength and endurance What YOU CAN do… – improve balance – ask for help or use helpful devices when necessary – stay active

6. Home Fall Hazards Clear walkways of: – cords and hoses – throw rugs – pets – clutter Increase lighting Add rails to stairways Need porch railings Clean wet floors

7. Taking Charge! Talk to your doctor about: – dizziness, especially with regards to medications. – chronic diseases such as Arthritis, Diabetes, & Osteoporosis. – starting an exercising program etc. See a Physical Therapist about: – improving you balance and strength. – walking with assistive devices like canes. See an Occupational Therapist about: – home safety. – for special needs or assistive device use like reachers. See an eye doctor for a yearly eye exam.

8. Empower Yourself! Exercise Stay physically and mentally active Eat well Drink lots of water Do not let fear stop you!

9. Basic Fire Dynamics It takes three components to make a fire: – heat – fuel – oxygen

10. Fire Hazards That Affect YOU Cooking accidents Unsafe smoking Heating equipment Faulty wiring

11. Home Fire Hazards— Eliminate Them! Conduct a home safety survey – Exterior hazards lighting, shrubbery, visible house numbers, etc. – Interior hazards survey each room of the house

12. Home Fire Hazards— The Kitchen The most dangerous room Check cords on electrical appliances – replace frayed or worn cords – unplug appliances when not in use Use safe cooking practices – never leave cooking unattended – pot handles/covers/microwaves – no storage in ovens Fire Extinguisher

13. Home Fire Hazards— Safety Devices Early warning devices – smoke alarms/heat detectors: Check monthly and change the batteries 2 times a year. – carbon monoxide (CO) detectors: In a fire, most people die from CO poisoning. Safety Measures – residential sprinklers – fire resistive clothing/upholstery – lifeline alerts

14. Home Fire Hazards— Escape Plan: Exit Drills In The Home (E.D.I.T.H.) Know two ways out of each room. Designate a meeting place outside. Discuss what to do about pets. Have a chain ladder for 2 story homes. Practice it!

15. The Fire Plan— What To Do In The Event of a Fire Get low and go Get out fast Once out, stay out Call 9-1-1 from a neighbor’s house If burned, run cold water over the burn. – Don’t use home remedies like butter.

16. Prevention & Education Why do seniors need to know about poison safety? – To protect themselves. Most common poisons for Florida Seniors are medications, household poisons, food poisoning. – To protect their loved ones.

17. Causes of Medication Poisoning Interactions from multiple prescription drugs Over-the-counter or herbal drug interactions Taking another persons’ drugs Vision or reading difficulties Sensitivity to drugs due to allergies, poor kidney or liver function, concurrent illnesses No system to remember medication doses like a pill box Self-adjusting drug dosages

18. Safe Medication Principles Keep a list of all current drugs in your wallet. Keep your drugs in a separate place from drugs belonging to other family members. Take medicine in a well-lighted area. Ask for clear instructions on all new drugs. Record possible problems with your drugs and tell your physician. Children may be at greater risk of medication poisoning, when they are with their grandparents. So keep medications out of reach.

19. Causes of Household Poisonings Look-alikes Storing non-food items next to food Storing chemicals in drink bottles Mixing cleaners Using cleaners without gloves or ventilation Leaving poisons in easy reach Child-resistant containers or latches not in use Storing water in any other containers other than water containers

20. Safe Product Usage Store in original container Store in a secured location Store poisons away from food Child resistant containers or cabinet latches Follow directions when using products Rinse & dry when adding a second cleaner

21. Food Safety Wash hands using lots of friction – W—warm – A—and – S—soapy – H—happy birthday Wash dishes and utensils after contact with raw meat or eggs. Sanitize food preparation surfaces monthly with bleach water & let air-dry. Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.

22. Provides advice after poisoning. Answers question to help prevent poisonings. Most poisonings can be managed at home with the help of the Poison Control Center. Free, confidential service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week The Poison Center Hotline— 1-800-222-1222