Slips, trips, and falls are the number 3 cause of accidental death in the United States, right
behind motor vehicle accidents. No matter where people are in the world, indoors or outdoors,
or at your rental home, they can experience a slip or fall.
Slips and falls can naturally happen indoors when going upstairs or walking on wet hardwood or
uneven flooring, but they are more common outdoors in parking lots and on sidewalks, stairs, decks,
and other areas that are affected by the weather.
Follow these tips to keep yourself and your vacation rental home tenants safe and avoid having a
dangerous slip, trip, or fall.
CONSIDER YOUR SHOES AND FOOTWEAR CHOICES
Depending on the weather at the location of your vacation rental home, residents may need to change plans for the day. If the area is experiencing lots of rain, your tenants should opt for shoes that have traction, like tennis shoes. If it’s really muddy and slick outside, shoes that are fit for hiking are best.
When it comes to footwear in the wintertime, avoid steel-toe boots. When worn for too long in the cold, they can cause hypothermia of the feet. Waterproof shoes that have good traction on the bottom should be the top qualities everyone should look for when buying winter shoes.
Planning an outfit that requires heels or sandals? Make sure that the weather is sunny with no chance of ice, snow, or rain, and the terrain is dry – or if the weather is wet, wear better shoes until you reach indoors safely. You’ll be protecting your ankles from any potential harm.
If you are climbing stairs in shoes with heels or sandals, take care to grip the stair railing to help keep balance so you don’t fall.
TREAD FORWARD WITH CAUTION
Wintertime environments are some of the most dangerous when it comes to the risk of a trip or fall due to the ice and snow that can accumulate. Another dangerous climate is one with a significant rainfall. Rain can cause even the flattest of areas to become slick and offer up a one-way ticket to a fall.
In order to avoid experiencing a fall in these dangerous climates, advise tenants to wear shoes that are high in traction and waterproof. Another big tip is when entering or exiting buildings, avoid walking on curbs or steps if at all possible. Walk with caution and do not run in these conditions or the risk of falling can increase considerably.
TAKE ALL NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS
Here are a few things to be mindful of when faced with an inclement weather situation. When getting out of your vehicle, keep a hand on the vehicle to support yourself because you don’t know how slick the ground is.
Did you know that putting your hands in your pockets to keep warm is more dangerous than it is worth? Keeping your hands free is necessary because by putting your hands in your pockets, you risk your balance since you’ve now lowered your center of gravity.
IF YOU EXPERIENCE A SLIP, TRIP, OR FALL
The number one thing that you should do if you do happen to take a tumble is to tuck your head in towards your chest to avoid hitting your head. Keep your elbows and knees bent when you fall and try to land on your backside to help protect your body from sustaining serious injury.
You can reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls at your vacation rental home by ensuring that sturdy handrails are installed, and that rain drains away from the property. If you’re unsure how your insurance would protect you in the event of a slip, trip, or fall-related injury, reach out to your local agent to make sure you’re covered for this common risk.