Slip and fall accidents can occur in the home or on the job, but taking proper precautions and learning how to handle a fall can actually help you prevent Arizona slip and fall injuries. The goal of implementing safety measures is to prevent falls altogether, but sometimes falls occur in spite of your best efforts.
These are some tips you should follow if you find yourself falling:
- Shield your head with your arm during a fall. Even if you injure your arm, it is better to protect your head and prevent a traumatic brain injury.
- Tuck your chin in while covering your head to prevent injuries to the face.
- Bend your knees, elbows and wrists during the fall. This helps distribute the impact of the fall once you land.
- Avoid trying to break the fall with your hands or elbows, as this can cause additional injuries.
- Try not to tense your muscles during the fall. This can limit your body’s ability to absorb the impact of the fall.
- Do not attempt to fall on your buttocks, as you risk injuring your tailbone. Try to go limp and land with your limbs toward the ground.
If you feel like you have sustained an injury, do not move immediately after your fall. Summon help, as moving too soon could cause additional damage. If you feel capable of moving, don’t get up and move all at once. Slowly bend or wiggle your fingers, wrists, elbows and other body parts to ensure that you do not have an injury that is preventing you from moving safely.
Although learning how to fall properly can save you from serious injuries, some falls are so severe that all of these precautions will not prevent broken bones or other injuries. If you were involved in a slip and fall accident due to someone else’s carelessness, the Mesa slip and fall accident attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. can help. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, contact us at (602) 457-6222.
