Do You Do Hazard Checks in Your Home?
By Tom Herrin
For those who live in a home of some kind, doing safety checks can help to avoid accidents. It doesn't matter whether it is an apartment or a house, it is not likely to be without the potential of safety hazards; there's an injury lurking somewhere. Too many times, people become complacent and have accidents in places where they feel the safest and most comfortable. When some of these happen, it may be necessary for a person to use some kind of walking aid to help them to keep some weight off of the injured part, at least for a period of time.
Many People Keep Walking Aids Around
It is pretty common for people to have some kind of walking aid tucked away in a closet or garage. With the three pretty basic types of aids, most people have one or more on hand. Crutches are probably the type most likely found. They are normally used when people have an injury and want to keep all or most of their weight off of the injured part.
Many people have seen a cane in use. They may think of them as something that people who are feeble use. They have many more uses than that, including helping those who are recovering from an injury and want to be able to place slight weight on the injured limb or side of the body.
The other type of walking assistant is a walker. They are not just used by the elderly but also those who may have had a more serious injury and want to keep more weight off of their lower body. Chances are that if you use a walker, you need it.
Walkers Serve Some Good Purposes
Besides being used for some of those serious lower body injuries, walkers can do some other good things. Since they are pretty substantial in construction, they are able to bear a considerable amount of weight. That means that someone may easily be able to rest much of their weight on them. Their designs vary so that they can accommodate many different kinds of needs. Some roll so that they do not have to be lifted while others may help people to stand more upright.
Make Walking Aids a Part of Your Storage
Since you never know when you will need some kind of walking assistance due to an accident or injury, it is a good idea to keep some kind on hand so that it is there when you need it. You should also know the correct way to use it. Another helpful thing is to do a safety check on your home to be sure that there are no obvious hazards that could result in an injury. A little planning can go a long way in a near emergency.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Elk Grove, Calif.