$100 billion

What does this number represent?

Answer: It’s the average annual medical cost of unintentional falls in the United States.

According to the Home Safety Council, falls are the leading cause of home injury deaths in the US, yet most families don’t consider this hazard as their top safety concern at home.

A fall can be a life-changing event. But there are some simple steps that families can take to reduce the risk of a fall injury in their home. Here are 5 fall prevention tips:

1. Light all porches, hallways and stairwells.
2. Protect stairs and steps with a secure banister or handrail.
3. On upper floors, install window guards that are strong enough to protect a child from falling out, but designed to be opened quickly in case of fire.
4. Use rug-liners or rugs with non-skid backs to reduce chance of slipping.
5. Install grab bars in bath and shower stalls.

Source: Home Safety Council

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