30+ Tips for Preventing Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents at Home and at Work

UPDATE: Michigan Slip & Fall Law has changed. The information on this page was written prior to the change in the law and may be out of date. Please Click Here for updated information on the new law for Slip & Fall cases in Michigan.

More than 3 million people visit the emergency room each year because of injuries sustained in falls. For those 65 and older, the risk of being seriously hurt from a fall is especially high. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of slip, trip and fall accidents. 

Here are some suggestions from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Safety Council and other fall prevention resources.

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Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Tips to Make Your Home Safer  

Falls are a leading cause of serious injuries that occur in the home, second only to poison. In fact, almost 75% of all falls happen at home. 

Here are simple steps to make your home a safer place:

• Add non-slip strips to wooden or uncarpeted stairs 
• Arrange furniture with plenty of room for walking
• Clean up food, drink and other spills immediately
• Clear clutter from the floor, including electric cords, toys and other objects
• Remove throw rugs or secure them with carpet tape or rug grippers
• Place essential items within easy reach to reduce the use of stepladders
• Keep stairs, hallways and outdoor areas well lit
• Put non-slip mats in the shower and bathtub.
• Install grab bars in the tub or shower
• Put handrails on both sides of staircases
• Make sure walkways and steps are smooth and puddle-free
• Safeguard the outside of your home by keeping walkways, steps and porches free of ice, snow or accumulated water
• Hire a professional for high-risk repairs, such as cleaning gutters or pruning trees

Note: As a homeowner, you could be liable if a visitor is injured in a slip and fall accident on your property. Therefore, taking steps to make your home safer will reduce your risk of injury and help protect you from potential legal problems.  

How to Reduce Your Personal Risk of Slips, Trips and Falls

In addition to safeguarding your environment, here are some steps you can take to reduce your own risk of being injured in a slip, trip and fall accident. Furthermore, your risk of falling increases with age, and older adults often experience more serious injuries. 

• Ask your doctor to evaluate your risk for falling and be honest if you have fallen during the past year. 
• Make sure the evaluation includes a review of your medications, prescription and over-the-counter, as some drugs can cause drowsiness or dizziness. 
• With your doctor’s guidance, develop an exercise plan to improve balance, flexibility and core strength. 
• Get an annual eye exam and replace your glasses if your vision has changed. Bifocals or progressive lenses can make things appear closer or further away than they are. Therefore, you may want to consider distance-only glasses for outdoor activities such as walking. 
• Assess your risk of falling with this online test from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Convey any concerns to your doctor.

Fall Prevention Tips for Older Adults

• Consider taking a fall prevention program. The National Council on Aging can connect you with a program in your community.  
• Ask your physician whether you need a bone density test. Bone loss, which can often be treated with medication, increases your risk of fractures if you do fall.

How Pedestrians Can Reduce Their Risk of Falling 

• Be careful going up and down steps or curbs.
• Do not use a cell phone while walking. Texting prevents you from watching where you are going, and even talking can be distracting.
• Wear proper footwear if your route includes wet, icy or snow-covered pavement or uneven terrain

Tips for Avoiding Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents in Winter

Here are some suggestions to help prevent falls during Michigan’s winter months. 

• Use rock salt, sand or other products to provide traction and remove ice from walks, driveways and steps.
• Wear the right shoes for the terrain and weather conditions. Wear rubber-soled boots or non-slip shoes when necessary and save the smooth-soled shoes or high heels for indoor wear.  
• Pay attention when you’re walking outdoors in winter. If you are looking at your cell phone, you may not see a patch of ice in your path until it’s too late.
• Be careful getting in and out of a vehicle that has been parked outside in cold weather. If the surrounding pavement is icy, hold onto the car for support, or move your car to a different parking space.
• Watch out for water and ice that has accumulated in front of building entrances.
• Report icy sidewalks, broken concrete and other hazards to the appropriate municipality or government authority

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention in the Workplace

More than half of all workplace slip and fall accidents are caused by spills on shop floors in addition to icy walkways and entrances. Employers and business owners have a duty to provide a safe environment for their employees and visitors. However, sometimes a worker is injured because an employer fails to fulfill this responsibility.

Furthermore, workers who are injured on the job are typically eligible to receive compensation under The Michigan Workers’ Disability Compensation Act, familiarly known as workers’ comp. (LINK TO BLOG OR WEB PAGE ON WORKERS’ COMP)

Here are some slip, trip and fall prevention steps employees can take to reduce their risk of an accident at work.

• Wear proper footwear for the environment. If you have to traverse an icy parking lot or sidewalk to enter your workplace, wear boots and change into office-appropriate shoes after you arrive.
• Pay attention on the way into work and when walking inside the building. If you are looking at a cell phone, you may not see that patch of ice or puddle of spilled coffee or other liquid.
• If you notice a hazardous condition, report it immediately to a supervisor or manager. If possible, document your concern in an email or other written communication.
• If you are injured at work, notify your employer as soon as possible. Then, contact an attorney who specializes in Michigan workers’ compensation claims.

If you are injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, contact one of our experienced slip, trip and fall lawyers immediately to win the compensation you deserve.  

Slip and fall law is complicated, but finding the right accident attorney is simple. 

Get your case started today by clicking the button below to fill out a brief form or calling 1-800-CALL-SAM for a free, no-obligation remote consultation from the safety of your home.