With falls by older people in Victoria accounting for the majority of home injuries, including 19% of all deaths and 41% of hospital admissions, East Gippsland Shire Council has joined Archicentre in encouraging residents to take up a free home safety inspection service, on behalf of the Department of Human Services.

Instead of running the feather duster over the venetian blinds or the bookshelves, Archicentre's ‘Operation Spring Clean’ is aimed at removing potentially deadly safety hazards from the homes of older Victorians.

Archicentre's manager of the home safety service, David Hallett, said Archicentre had conducted over 50,000 inspections and found that almost one third of the homes had safety hazards, especially trip or slip hazards."

There are more than 930,000 Victorians aged 70 years or over and this number will reach 1.6 million over the next 20 years. This will further increase the need to monitor safety hazards in the home.

East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Cr Dick Ellis said, "Through ‘Operation Spring Clean’  we are urging people visiting elderly relatives or friends to keep an eye out for safety issues, many of which are easy and simple to fix."

"If you see a hazard, remove it immediately. It could save a life or stop serious injury,” Cr Ellis said.

Aged and disability pensioners or carers in East Gippsland are eligible for the free Archicentre home safety inspection, which is funded by the Victorian Government through the Department of Human Services. Telephone Archicentre to access the service and arrange an inspection on 1300 136 513.




Archicentre's Tips on Fall Prevention:

·A flat, accessible site is ideal for older residents who gradually lose mobility or balance and risk injury, whilst attempting to negotiate uneven paving or steps;

·Weather protection between the garage and house will help reduce risks, such as carrying groceries in the rain over wet, slippery surfaces;

·Interior colour schemes with a good contrast helps people with diminishing eyesight identify doors, entranceways and changed surface conditions;

·Installing extra power points eliminates the tangle of loose extension leads that can cause unexpected falls;

·Impact-absorbent floor surfaces to help reduce potential falls;
·Level entry showers help prevent slips and falls;

·Grab rails in the bathroom for the shower and toilet, and at front and rear steps provide extra support;

·Replacement of worn, torn or loose carpet likely to cause tripping;

·Reflective or brightly coloured strips on stairs help people with diminishing eyesight; and

·Sensor lights to external areas.

Council joins ‘Operation Spring Clean’
to target safety hazards for elderly