Preventing Falls

Each year, millions of Americans fall and injure themselves in their own homes. Luckily, preventing falls can be as easy as moving hazards out of the way and installing safety devices in your home.

Rhonda Wood, trauma coordinator at Salem Hospital, has these simple suggestions for improving home safety.

• Ask someone to move your furniture so your walking path is clear.
• Repair loose or torn carpeting. If you have throw rugs, use double-sided tape or non-slip backing so the rugs won’t slide.
• Tape electrical cords to walls or baseboards so you can’t trip on them.
• Keep stairways well lit.
• Have handrails installed on both sides of stairs, and always keep them in good repair.
• Place reflective tape on steps so you can see them better.
• Use nightlights so you can see where you are walking at night.
• Use non-slip rubber mats in the bathtub and shower.
• Have grab bars installed next to the bathtub and toilet.

Winter Blues

When the winter months set in, do you…

• have less energy than usual?
• feel less productive or creative?
• need more sleep or feel depressed?

The National Institute of Mental Health suggests trying the following tips for fighting the winter blues:

Sunlight and light boxes—Make an effort to expose yourself to sunlight in the early morning. Take a walk outside or open your bedroom curtains as soon as you get up each morning. Or use a light box for 30 minutes to an hour daily, especially in the early morning hours. A light box can typically be purchased from a major department store.

Exercise—Not only does aerobic exercise improve your mood by increasing the serotonin level in the body, but it also helps to reduce stress levels.

Proper diet—Many people who experience the winter blues crave junk food and soft drinks as the days get shorter. Instead, eat larger portions of complex carbohydrates, such as pasta and rice, which have a longer-lasting effect on energy levels and provide more nutrients.

Sleep—Try to limit sleep to eight-hour periods on a regular schedule. This will give you more energy during the day and reduce feelings of depression.

#1 Way to Avoid Getting Sick: Hand Washing

How often do you wash your hands? Before every meal? After using the restroom—every time?

Recent studies have shown that most people do not wash their hands often enough. Hand washing is the number-one behavior that prevents the spread of germs—and helps keep you from getting sick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hand washing is especially important at these times:

• Before and after preparing food.
• Before and after eating.
• After using the restroom.
• After touching animals or animal waste.
• When someone around you is ill.

How to properly wash your hands:

• Use warm water.
• Wet your hands before applying soap.
• Rub your soapy hands together for at least 10 seconds.
• Rinse your hands thoroughly to remove all soap.
• In public restrooms, turn off the water with a paper towel.
• Dry your hands with an air dryer or a clean paper towel.
• After washing in a public place, use a paper towel to open the door.

No place to wash your hands?

Be prepared for the times when you cannot find a place to wash your hands by carrying instant hand sanitizer, such as Purell®, with you. These products kill germs on contact and do not require washing after use.

In the winter, we protect ourselves and our families by insulating our homes to keep the heat in and the cold out. So how can a well-insulated home become a health hazard? Because of poor air quality.

When the same air is trapped in your home for weeks at a time, moisture can build up, creating the perfect environment for mold to grow.
Another result of decreased airflow is a rise in pollutants in the home, which can commonly be found in new carpets, fireplace smoke, and pressed wood cabinets and cupboards.

The American Lung Association suggests these tips to keep your home healthier during the winter:

• Change the furnace filter once a month.
• Run the bathroom vent fan when showering to discourage mold growth.
• Clean the humidifier and air conditioning drain pans regularly, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Refrain from smoking indoors.

Learn more about maintaining a healthier home at the American Lung Association’s Health House® program Web site.