Trips, slips and falls constitute for the majority of general accidents in the USA and are also responsible for up to 15% of all accidental deaths, second only to motor vehicle accidents, according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). They further represent the primary cause of absenteeism from work with half of all accidental deaths within the home being caused by falls. Approximately 19,565 US citizen die every year due to injuries caused by unintentional falls, and this type of accident being named the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. It has further been established that slip and fall accidents are responsible for 46% of fatal falls among senior Americans.

There are countless areas in and around the house that could result in dangerous falls if not well-maintained. Upturned carpet corners and slippery floor tiles are common indoor culprits while access points to and from the house carry their own set of risks. Old, deteriorating or simply poorly constructed driveways and garden paths are not only unsightly but dangerous as well. While any uneven walkway poses a risk on any given day the risk is substantially amplified when sleet or rain is added to the mixture, creating a possible death-trap.

An accident waiting to happen

Over an extended period of time or as a result of poor workmanship the surface of your driveway can become notably uneven. Wear and tear brought on by the environment can cause cracks and holes that can cause people to trip and fall. Loose pieces of asphalt or concrete can turn into projectiles that can not only injure someone but can cause extensive damage to vehicles as well.  Children and the elderly are most at risk of falling on an uneven, crumbling or cracked driveway or path, facing severe injury and even death. Certain stringent considerations need to be adhered to when constructing a new driveway to ensure that it is not only easily accessible but safe to use as well.

It’s not only painful, but costly as well

Slipping, tripping and falling due to an unsafe driveway or path can result in a host of injuries ranging from bruises and lesions to broken bones, concussions, and death. Apart from being very painful, treating fall injuries is also very costly.  In 2015, costs for fall-related injuries to Medicare alone totaled more than $31 billion. Over 800, 000 patients are hospitalized every year because of a fall injury with broken arms, hips, legs and head injuries being the most common. With the average hospital cost for such a fall injury amounting to about $30,000 it is imperative to prevent these types of injury as far as is humanly possible.

While not all slips, trips and falls can be prevented those that take place due to poorly fabricated structures can and should be. Regular checks should be conducted in and around to house to identify possible hazards with the necessary steps being taken to neutralize them before you or your loved one becomes yet another fall injury statistic.