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Keep older adults safe from burns

Is there an older adult living with you? They are at higher risk for burn injuries. Keep them safe with these tips:

Wear short sleeves or tight-fitting clothes when cooking. Loose clothing can catch fire. Don’t cook or be close to flames when feeling ill.

Don’t smoke or have open flames near medical oxygen. Keep all candles, lighters, cigarettes etc. away from medical oxygen.

Test the water before bathing or showering. Older adults’ skin becomes thinner with aging, making them at higher risk for burn injuries. Install anti-scald devices in the bathroom.

Make accommodations for disabilities. Install smoke alarms and alert devices (strobe lights or bed/pillow shakers) for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Ensure anyone with a disability is included in your fire escape planning.

Remember, older adults are at a higher risk for burn injuries for many reasons, including slower reaction times and reduced mobility, balance, vision and hearing.

Learn more at ameriburn.org or health.sunnybrook.ca

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Combine these higher risk factors for seniors with dangerous winter conditions, and you can see why it’s so important for elderly pedestrians to take some precautions. Sarah Gallsworthy, Program Coordinator at Sunnybrook’s RBC First Office for Injury Prevention, has eight simple tips to keep pedestrians, particularly elderly ones, safe this winter:

1) Stay off your phone while walking– distracted walking is dangerous!

2) Be visible to drivers day and night by wearing bright, reflective items. Add a reflective sticker or patch to your jacket and bag

3) Wear proper and well-maintained footwear to reduce your risk of falling on slippery surfaces

4) Plan your outings– try to schedule outings during daylight hours and good weather conditions. Give yourself more time when traveling during the winter, so you don’t have to dart through traffic to catch the bus!

5) Be as light as possible– avoid carrying things that could make you lose your balance while walking

6) Don’t jaywalk– only cross at intersections with traffic signals, marked crosswalks or stop signs

7) Make eye contact with drivers before stepping off the curb- slippery road conditions means it may take drivers longer than usual to stop. Wait until vehicles have come to a complete stop before starting to cross the street

8) Keep your head up! Avoid looking at something other than the direction you’re traveling in

Do you have an elderly family member or friend who could benefit from these tips? Please pass them along, and help keep pedestrians safe this winter.

The post 8 winter safety tips for pedestrians appeared first on Your Health Matters.