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Tips on how to avoid falls
ï¿½ Floors should be clear, especially in areas of work or transit.
ï¿½ Clean does not mean slippery. Floors must be kept dry, free of grease, oil and creams.
ï¿½ Ask for help when carrying bulky things.
ï¿½ Don't use rickety ladders. The best are the double-legged ones. Make sure they are completely open and balanced before stepping on the ladder.
ï¿½ Don't stand on chairs or other pieces of furniture to reach elevated objects.
ï¿½ Shelves should be fixed to the wall.
ï¿½ Stairs leading into the home should have a banister no lower than 90 centimeters and with a handrail.
ï¿½ Windows less than a meter from the floor should be covered with banisters and iron bars arranged vertically and close enough to each other to keep a child from putting his or her head between them.
ï¿½ Doors, windows and balconies that face high-risk areas should be equipped with a safety system.
ï¿½ Stairways should be well lit.
ï¿½ Attach rubber butts to the edges of steps.
ï¿½ Do not place rugs on steps or in hallways. If you do, make sure they are firmly stuck to the floor so they do not crease.

In the bathroom
ï¿½ Choose a bathtub with a special anti-slip surface or with grooves.
ï¿½ Place anti-slip pads on the floor of the tub.
ï¿½ Place rugs next to the tub, sink and toilet.
ï¿½ Install a handrail on the wall of the tub or shower to hold on to when getting in or out of it.

What to do when you fall
If you have fallen, you may have hurt your ankles, knees, elbows, shoulders, back or head. Keep in mind the following tips, and if the pain persists, see a doctor. If you have twisted your ankle and it swells, hurts and is hard to move, you may have sprained it. The doctor can tell the degree of your injury by asking how the fall occurred and examining the limb. Juan Garcï¿½a Pï¿½rez, head of physical therapy atï¿½ Spa Royal at Holmes Place, recommends the following:
ï¿½ Raise the injured limb
ï¿½ Apply ice inside a cloth, never directly on the skin, for 20 minutes to reduce inflammation and pain.
ï¿½ Immobilize the limb with an elastic bandage (wristband, ankle band or any other elastic and compressive bandage). The pressure should be moderate so as not to restrict the circulation, which will already have slowed because of the injury.
ï¿½ Analgesics (aspirin or paracetamol) will reduce pain and inflammation. In the event of muscle contraction, dry heat is best because it relaxes the muscle, raises its temperature and stimulates the circulation.

What to do in case of a blow to the head
If you have suffered a bump in the head you must go see the doctor, especially if you have lost consciousness. There can be skull fractures, scalp injuries, concussion and, in the worst case, brain damage. This is what to do:
ï¿½ If breathing has stopped, aid with assisted breathing.
ï¿½ If there is bleeding, cover it with a dressing but without tamponing it.
ï¿½ If you suspect a spine injury, immobilize the victim by lining up the head with the torso and wait for the ambulance to come.
ï¿½ If a child bumps his head and turns pale, vomits or seems sleepy, take him to the emergency room of the hospital.

Statistics
According to the 1999 annual report from the Health Ministry on accidents at home and in leisure areas:
ï¿½ The most accident-filled months are April (10.4%), August (12.5%) and December (13.0%).
ï¿½ Women above age 45 and men over 65 fall the most. And children between 5 and 14 suffer the most collisions and bumps.
ï¿½ Where do falls usually take place? At home (45%), on streets or in transport areas (17.5%), sports facilities (15.5%) , recreational or entertainment areas (6.5%), outdoors (6.4%), and in schools (5.3%).
ï¿½ Which activities most often cause falls? Domestic (30.2%), leisure (22.1%), sports or physical exercise (16.1%).