10 April 2008

Free Senior's Housing Safety Check for Dangerous Suburbs
Slip and Trip Hazards Increase 4%

With 7 out of 10 houses in the suburb of Glen Waverley having a trip and slip fault, Archicentre has implemented a community awareness campaign about the availability of FREE safety Housing Checks for seniors to prevent serious injury and death.

David Hallett, General Manager of Archicentre said, "a study of 38,000 Victorian homes inspected by Archicentre architects as part of the Home Renovation Service, funded by the Victorian Government's Department of Human Services, has shown a 4% increase in slip and trip hazards.

"The main causes of falls are slippery surfaces and uneven floors, but loose rugs and phone cords can also be deadly."

According to the Monash University Accident Research Centre, falls among older Victorians accounted for the majority of home injuries in 2005, including 19% of all deaths and 41% of all hospital admissions.

Victoria's Top 10 Suburban Trouble Spots for Trip and Slip

Mildura Rural City Council had the highest incidence of trip and slip hazards of all the Victorian Local Government Areas (60%).

The top five for council areas were Moreland (45%), Yarra Ranges Shire (43%), Greater Bendigo (42%) and Mount Alexander Shire (41%).

Victoria's Top 10 Municipal Trouble Spots for Trip and Slip

"For Archicentre and the Victorian Government prevention is key. The FREE Home Renovation Service is one crucial step in keeping Victorians safe at home," Mr Hallett said.

Archicentre's Tips on Fall Prevention

•   A flat, accessible site is ideal for older residents who gradually lose mobility, or balance, and risk injury while attempting to negotiate uneven paving and steps
  
  
•   Weather protection between the garage and house will help reduce risks such as falling, when carrying groceries in the rain over wet surfaces
  
  
•   Interior colour schemes with good contrast helps people with diminishing eye-sight identify doors, entranceways and changed surface conditions
  
  
•   Extra power points eliminate the tangle of loose extension leads that can cause unexpected falls
  
  
•   Impact-absorbent floor surfaces to reduce potential falls
  
  
•   Level-entry showers
  
  
•   Grab rails in showers and toilets and at front and rear steps of the home
  
  
•   Replacement of worn, torn or loose carpet
  
  
•   Reflective or brightly coloured space strips on stairs
  
  

•   Sensor lights to external areas
  

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