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An ice cube melting on the kitchen floor, a loose tile in the hallway, or a rolled up rug in the walkway—all these ordinary scenarios can lead to serious injury in your home. The National Safety Council (NSC) is launching a new campaign entitled “Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls,” to help prevent homeowners and their guests from suffering injuries caused by falling. With proper care and attention to safety around the house, Fort Myers personal injury attorneys  say that residents can easily reduce the number of slip and fall accidents.

Falls cause the second-highest number of unintentional injuries and even deaths each year. Tragically, most of these accidents involve injury to people over the age of 65—in fact, every year, one out of every three older adults falls. The injuries caused by these accidents can range from a few scrapes and bruises to hip fractures and concussions or other head injuries, and can lead to an early death without proper follow-up care. But the care required to eliminate dangers around the house is a good start to preventing injuries in the first place.

The National Safety Council was founded in 1913 and is chartered by the U.S. Congress. Their goal in the Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls promotion is to raise awareness of the dangers lurking in everyday scenarios. Taking simple precautions such as cleaning up immediately after liquid spills and making sure heavily used walkways are cleared of unexpected obstacles. These measures could help promote safety and prevent lawsuits from injured houseguests, Fort Myers personal injury attorneys say.

Properly setting up and securing ladders and step stools before using them is another good way to prevent injury. As part of their safety promotion, the NSC compiled a list of helpful tips for ladder users. The Council advises people to choose the right ladder for the job, and carefully read through the safety labels. Before climbing, users should check the area for any loose cords or uneven patches of ground, and stay on the lower rungs of the ladder as much as possible, to keep falls to a minimum. People should avoid using ladders in windy or rainy weather, and get down immediately if a storm arises.

Following the NSC’s simple tips can keep ladder users from falling and hurting themselves, and can prevent an unattended ladder from tipping over or malfunctioning and injuring a bystander. According to leading Fort Myers personal injury attorney Randall Spivey, when a guest in someone’s home falls and sustains injuries, the homeowner can be held liable if their home is unsafe or somehow hazardous.

Although it is hard for a guest to prevent accidents in another person’s home, there are steps that can be taken. A thorough check of medications that cause dizziness or unsteady balance can help prepare guests for the side effects, and keeping up to date with eye check-ups and doctor visits can keep guests’ eyes sharp for potential dangers, and their bones strong with Vitamin D.

At Florida-based Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, PA, the experienced lawyers represent anyone who has suffered an injury from slipping and falling.