Measures to prevent fractures

• Measures and interventions to prevent fractures at home, school hospital

How Can I Prevent Fractures?
To help prevent fractures, follow general safety precautions, including:
Always wear a seat belt when riding in a motor vehicle.
Always wear the proper safety equipment (helmets and other protective pads) for recreational activities, such as bike riding or contact sports.
Keep walkways and stairs free of objects that could cause you to trip.
If you have osteoporosis, engage in regular exercise to improve your strength and balance, which may help reduce falls and discuss calcium supplements with you doctor.

• Measures and interventions: how to prevent fractures at schools

Check with your child's school to make sure there is at least 9 inches of safe, shock-absorbing surface material, consisting of wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or mats made of safety-tested rubber or fiber material. Make sure there is no exposed hardware to catch clothing and no free-hanging ropes attached to the equipment.
Promoting the use of protective gear in both informal and organized sports and recreational activities;
Adapting playing rules with respect to participants' age and ability.

• Measures and interventions: how to prevent fractures at hospitals

Keep all rooms free from clutter, especially the floors. Keep floor surfaces smooth but not slippery. When entering rooms, be aware of differences in floor levels and thresholds.
Avoid walking around in socks, stockings, or floppy, backless slippers.
Keep electrical cords and telephone lines out of walkways.
Be sure that all stairwells are adequately lit and that stairs have handrails on both sides. Consider placing fluorescent tape on the edges of the top and bottom steps.
For optimal safety, install grab bars on bathroom walls beside tubs, showers, and toilets. If you are unstable on your feet, consider using a plastic chair with a back and nonskid leg tips in the shower.
Use a rubber bath mat in the shower or tub.
Keep a flashlight with fresh batteries beside your bed.
Use bright bulbs in your hospital
Providing a portable phone at patient’s bedside.
Push the call light if something happens.

• Measures and interventions: how to prevent fractures at homes:

Keep all rooms free from clutter, especially the floors.
Keep floor surfaces smooth but not slippery. When entering rooms, be aware of differences in floor levels and thresholds.
Wear supportive, low-heeled shoes, even at home. Avoid walking around in socks, stockings, or floppy, backless slippers.
Check that all carpets and area rugs have skid-proof backing or are tacked to the floor, including carpeting on stairs.
Keep electrical cords and telephone lines out of walkways.
Use a rubber bath mat in the shower or tub.
Keep a flashlight with fresh batteries beside your bed
Consider purchasing a portable phone that you can take with you from room to room. It provides security, because not only can you answer the phone without rushing for it, but you can also call for help should an accident occur.
Arrange with a family member or friend for daily contact. Try to have at least one person who knows where you are.
If you live alone, you may wish to contract with a monitoring company that will respond to your call 24 hours a day.
Watch yourself in a mirror. Does your body lean or sway back and forth or side to side? People with decreased ability to balance often have a high degree of body sway and are more likely to fall.
Don't let prescriptions run low. Always keep at least one week's worth of medications on hand at home.
Check prescriptions with your doctor and pharmacist to see if they may be increasing your risk of falling. If you take multiple medications, check with your doctor and pharmacist about possible interactions between the different medications.
Make sure children always wear a bicycle helmet when riding a bike or scooter, and use other appropriate safety gear such as elbow pads and knee pads. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent.

• Practice Balance Exercises Every Day:

While holding the back of a chair, sink, or countertop, practice standing on one leg at a time for a minute. Gradually increase the time. Try balancing with your eyes closed. Try balancing without holding on. While holding the back of a chair, sink, or countertop, practice standing on your toes, then rock back to balance on your heels. Hold each position for a count of 10.While holding the back of chair, sink, or countertop with both hands, make a big circle to the left with hips, repeat to the right. Do not move your shoulders or feet. Repeat 5 times.