By understanding what puts us at risk of falling, we can take action to prevent them happening.

Falls (defined as when a person makes unintentional contact with the ground) are a common, but often overlooked, cause of injury.

Anyone can have a fall, but everyone is at more risk of falling as they age, especially if they have a long-term health condition. 1 in 3 adults over 65 and half of people over 80 will have a fall at least one fall a year. But the good news is that by understanding what puts us at risk of falling, we can take action to prevent them happening.

Can you make your home, loved ones home, or place of work more falls prevention friendly? Are walking areas and paths clear? Is the furniture stable? Are there places to sit if people feel dizzy? Below you can find a range of advice to be aware of and tips to help prevent falls in the community. This also includes a falls prevention check-list and a quiz which you can use to learn more about what can cause falls, and to take action to help reduce any falls risk.

People at risk of falls are often reluctant to discuss it because they fear their independence will be taken away from them. It’s up to us – as friends, relatives, neighbours and community champions to let them know that the opposite is true: that by taking positive steps to prevent falls they will preserve their health and independence for longer.