Designers and older people were equally unable accurately to judge the riskiness of residential products and architectural features. Both groups ranked doors twelfth. People often get their fingers, hands, or feet caught or slammed in a door. Toilet-related injuries were also underestimated, especially by older adults. 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.