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-Safety Tips for Seniors-
Fire Department Offers Safety Tips for Seniors

Each year, the West Covina Fire Department receives numerous calls as a result of older adults falling. These falls can be most painful and can result in permanent disabilities. The following information provides some practical suggestions to help prevent falls among seniors.

Getting out of bed

• Lie on your back with both knees bent and feet flat.
• Roll onto your side toward the direction you will get out of bed.
• Bring your legs forward over the edge of the bed and lower them as you push your body.

Getting from sitting to standing

• Scoot to the edge of the bed/chair.
• Place the stronger leg slightly in back of the weaker leg.
• Place hands on armrests or on the edge of the bed.
• Lean trunk forward and press down on arms to stand up.
• If seated in a very deep chair, try rocking a few times
• to get some momentum before attempting to stand.

Using stairs

• Going up: Go up with the stronger leg first, then bring the weaker leg onto the same step, then cane, if you use one.
• Going down: Go down with weaker leg first, then lower and stronger leg onto the same step. If you use a cane, it should go down first.
• Use a handrail when available.

Walking on hills

• Going up: Lead with the stronger leg.
• Going down: Lead with the weaker leg.
• Attempt going sideways if the hill is steep.
• Walk downhill in a diagonal manner, similar to switchbacks.

Getting up from the floor

• Get into kneeling position. Bring one foot in front to a
• half-kneeling position, then rise to a standing position. You
• may need to push down on a sturdy object, such as a chair,
• beside you to stand up.

Using a Cane

• With cane tip four inches in front and four inches to the side, the cane handle should come up to your hip joint. The cane may need to be shorter for your elbow to bend about twenty degrees.
• When using a cane, always hold it in the opposite hand than your involved side.

Using a walker

• Adjust height as with cane.
• Place walker firmly on ground with all four legs in contact with floor.
• Keep walker within comfortable arms distance with elbows slightly bent. Stand tall and avoid walking bent over.

For further information, call the West Covina Fire Department at (626) 338-8800.

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