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updated on
Reading 2 min.
in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)
With the light fading quickly in the evening, wet sidewalks and even slippery leaves, the risk of falling is higher in autumn. How to avoid falling, in the street or in front of your house? Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor, shares his good advice with us.
In autumn, the days get shorter and the weather generally turns gray. Between the wet ground and the lack of visibility, anyone can fall. How to avoid such a risk? Thanks to the advice of Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo.
Act on yourself, taking precautions
To limit the risk of falling, Dr Gérald Kierzek recommends various small things to do on yourself such as:
- Wear light-colored or reflective clothing when walking outside at night;
- Have your eyesight checked if necessary to ensure good vision in the dark;
- Walk more slowly and carefully, especially on wet or leaf-covered surfaces;
- Wear shoes with non-slip soles with good ankle support.
“For the most fragile, use a cane or a walker if necessary to improve their stability.advises the doctor.
Among the other recommendations put forward, the doctor recommends remaining particularly attentive to changes in surface or level, but also avoiding walking with your hands in your pockets to keep your balance more easily.
Finally, Dr. Gérald Kierzek reminds us to limit distractions such as using a cell phone while walking.
Act on your environment, in different ways, to secure it
The other main area concerns the environment in which we operate. The doctor again gives several good tips to put in place such as:
- Adequate lighting outside the home, including motion detectors;
- Securing slippery surfaces;
- Regularly sweeping dead leaves from your driveway, but also using salt or sand on slippery surfaces like outdoor stairs;
“Taking care of your environment also involves putting away your gardening tools and other objects that could clutter the paths” insists the emergency doctor. Without forgetting “quickly repair cracks or irregularities in driveways and sidewalks and ensure that exterior stair railings are solid and well fixed.
“You can also install non-slip strips on exterior steps.” further advises our expert. Finally, “adapt your pace and be even more vigilant at this time of year, whether you are on foot, by bike or on a scooter” he concludes.