Overview

Worries about falls don't need to keep you indoors. Outdoor activities like walking have big benefits for your health. You will need to watch your step and learn a few safety measures.

If you are worried about having a fall outdoors, ask your doctor about exercises, classes, or physiotherapy that may help. You can learn ways to gain strength, flexibility, and balance. Ask if it might help to use a cane or walker.

You can make your time outdoors safer with a few simple measures.

How can you prevent falls outdoors?

• Wear shoes with firm soles and low heels. If you have to walk on an icy surface, use grippers that can be worn over your shoes in bad weather.
• Be extra careful if weather is bad. Walk on the grass when the sidewalks are slick. If you live in a place that gets snow and ice in the winter, sprinkle salt on slippery stairs and sidewalks.
• Be careful getting on or off buses and trains or getting in and out of cars. If handrails are available, use them.
• Be careful when you cross the street. Look for crosswalks or places where curb cuts or ramps are present.
• Try not to hurry, especially if you are carrying something.
• Be cautious in parking lots or garages. There may be curbs or changes in pavement, or the height of the pavement may vary.
• Make sure to wear the correct eyeglasses, if you need them. Reading glasses or bifocals can make it harder to see hazards that might be in your way.
• If you are walking outdoors for exercise, try to:
  • Walk in well-lighted, well-maintained areas. These include high school or university tracks, shopping malls, and public spaces.
  • Walk with a partner.
  • Watch out for uneven ground, cracked sidewalks, curbs, changes in the height of the pavement, exposed tree roots, and debris such as fallen leaves or branches.