Most toilet-related injuries occur when one falls off the toilet or loses one's balance while standing and falls against the toilet. Many injuries involving porches or balconies result from slips on wet or icy surfaces. Sink-related injuries are also underestimated by both older people and design professionals. People often hit the sink while falling or slipping. In many cases a person might take a fall that is not caused by any particular product or architectural feature.
Falls are most likely to occur in bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and on stairs.
Injury Prevention Measures Flooring materials, rugs, and carpets Flooring materials, rugs, and carpets together account for more than 250,000 injuries among older people each year. Many of these injuries occur when a person trips on an uneven surface and falls. This is particularly likely where the surface changes from flooring to carpeting and there is a slight change in elevation. Falls also commonly occur if a person does not realize that a rug is present. This may happen if the lighting is too dim or the surroundings are unfamiliar.