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Always use the handrail going up or downstairs.

Always make sure your shoe laces are tied secure.

If you have pets, especially small ones, don't let them run around your feet. If they do, keep your eye on them. And don't leave their toys lying around. That is definitely an accident waiting to happen.

If your front door has steps, have a hand rail connected to the side of the door. It is so easy to trip up or down the steps. I know from experience ending up with a bloody nose and a black eye. I was lucky that I didn't break my nose.

If you have small children don't let them run around when you are busy doing something. If you fall over your child you could hurt yourself or, worse than that, hurt your child.

Don't carry boiling water when your children or your pets are around. If you fall either one of them could be very badly hurt. Or even yourself.

Don't walk around on the phone. Your mind is elsewhere and you aren't thinking about your children and pets.

And finally. At all times concentrate on what you are doing. Don't let your mind wander off until you have finished your task.

Make sure you have the whole of each of your feet completely as flat as possible on the ground before you attempt to stand or walk as this allows your body to achieve the maximum balance you are capable of and ensures you are as steady as possible.

Keeping fit is the best way to maintain your balance but activities which promote balance are particularly good. Yoga, pilates, Body Balance and dancing are excellent as balance is used in these activities. Riding a bike also requires balance and is good for the environment too!

I moved to a ground floor flat as stairs were becoming a problem but I still have mobility issues.I have had a banister rail fitted along the hallway,which helps a lot.Also a half step on the outside of the door to the garden-I couldn't believe how much difference it made to getting up and down the step.Don't wear mule type or sloppy slippers,well fitting ones or a pair of pumps are best.Be careful of trip hazards,not just rugs but things that live on the floor like lamps,pet beds and magazine racks-make sure they are tucked away in corners or under furniture.If you need a walking stick,consider one with little tripod "legs" at the bottom-they don't slip on tiled or laminate floors and remain upright when you let go.There are little things you can buy such as kettle-tippers to lessen the risk of scalding.It is a good idea to research these aids as there might be a solution to your problem.Above all I would say don't rush anywhere!

Lots of good advice in posts. Don't rush is so important. Not leaving things in floor to trip over. Being very careful coming down stairs especially in stocking feet.
I now find standing on a chair difficult I can't climb up so potential for an accident. If I need something high up I should take the extra time and take out the three little steps we have.

I'm am still fairly young so don't really have balance problems due to older age but as I have M.E (chronic fatigue syndrome) I find that my balance and Co ordination are frequently badly affected. I try to take things fairly slowly and have come to realise that stress has a major detrimental affect on all areas of my health including my balance. Any physical activity that keeps the mind and body active has to be a plus for everybody. I can fully appreciate how people can lose their confidence within themself after having a bad fall (is there such a thing as a good fall I wonder?). Just got to take one day at a time eh!

Isn't it strange that as we get older we 'have a fall' whereas when younger we just 'fell over'.

After having a few falls in the last 2 years ,all outside, I considered using a walking stick. But still haven't done it.
One definite 'no' for me now is using stepladders, or other ladders . Even holding on my balance isn't good.
Another balance situation is if I'm walking along a road and a vehicle comes past, I start to wobble if I watch it passing - could be lethal.

When the phone rings, don't rush to answer it. The caller will leave a message or ring back if it's important. And, speaking from experience - don't hurry downstairs in your stocking feet. I was lucky it was only the bottom step I fell off, incurring badly bruised toes and the little toe hasn't been the same since.
I know I don't need to say this - but when did that ever stop me? Don't even think about lifting anything heavy. Your back is more vulnerable than it was 30 - 40 years ago.

Lots of great tips above and I'd add, just be aware that you are not as steady as you used to be and look where you're putting your feet, be aware of trip hazards around you and take extra care.

difficult to avoid tripping when you are older, but one thing which is important when your indoors is to make sure you have a good well fitted supportive pair of slippers!

Thankfully it doesn't really affect us yet but at my in laws who are in their 90s we have removed the rugs and make sure they don't leave things on the floor. Thankfully they move slowly though doesn't stop FIL going out and falling unfortunately

Just over two years ago, I fell as I was coming downstairs. Result: a visit to A&E with badly torn ligaments. I hasten to add that no was involved. It was early evening. I was heading out to a concert, skipping merrily downstairs when my knee simply gave way beneath me.
After follow up treatment from a physio, I was referred to an activity class where we did all the exercises listed in the BMI leaflet. Two years on, they're still part of my daily routine. I also do balancing exercises with my eyes closed, which I found quite difficult at first. I've always been active...swimming, walking, Pilates...and gradually got back into these. Wanting to be an active, hands on Gran to my four grandchildren was a major incentive.
For me, the hardest thing to cope with was the loss of confidence. I've always been fiercely independent and hated that the fall left me feeling quite cautious, careful, hesitant.
Those feelings did gradually recede. But only because I altered my mindset to a more realistic assessment of what I could and perhaps shouldn't do.
The tips that helped me were:
being mindful - focussing on whatever it is that I'm doing;
using aids - a small stepladder where previously I would have climbed up on to a chair;
holding on to the bannister when going up and down stairs;
making sure that I budget enough time to do something, so that I don't have to rush;
getting rid of all the rugs in the house, so that there's nothing to trip over;
using walking poles on uneven terrain outdoors;
attaching gripper soles to my shoes and boots when I go out in icy conditions.
These all help.
And I'm glad to say that my confidence has returned

With extreme reluctance, giving up all forms of unsuitable footwear and literally "watching my step" - partly because of varifocals.

Like many others this "wisdom" was only granted to me after an accident.

Tips for reducing falls,.... well I find that moving around slowly gives me better balance. It gives your body time to catch up and does not throw you off balance

Love the dog story Jalima, do like a dog with attitude.
Coolgran that's exactly why I fell downstairs recently, carrying some laundry and a dog bed. I sprained my ankle and cracked a rib so only small loads for me now.

Don't carry too much upstairs (eg ironing) in the one go .... forget the 'lazy man's burden' and keep a hand free for the handrail.

There was a time I used to just jump onto the worktop to reach the kitchen window to wash it...... more sense now and keep a small 3 x tread set of steps in the kitchen. Painted them a nice sage green to match the decor.

Take care going out the door especially where there is a plastic door frame. Lift your feet. Don't me like me and end up with 14 stitches on the forehead and two black eyes.

Keep off the

Wear shoes that support your feet and that fit well.

Train yourself to never run for a bus or a train (I learnt that one the hard way).

Take up Pilates or similar, to strengthen your core. It helps a lot with balance.

Mine keep me in my place all the time. We have only had one deliberate indoor wee and that was when they came back from the kennels ?

ps it was the only time he did it, he didn't wee on the carpet habitually! He just wanted to let me know who was in charge.

And what effect will that have?

we had a dog that was perfectly behaved for DH and when I took him to dog training incidentally.
However, the minute DH went (he worked away all week) the dog would look at me and wee on the carpet.
'We know who's boss now, don't we!'.

Don't rush to answer the door or phone - more haste less speed. Accidents often happen when you're rushing. Get out of your chair gently and get your balance before you move away.

I bought a sock putter-onner when I injured my shoulder. It is on the mend now, but I continue to use the aid as toppling over could be a danger in the future. I also always lean against the side of my high bed when putting on trousers for the same reason.
I have always been aware of trip hazards, which is even more important as I age.

We put no-pile office carpet in my parents last home as my mum had Parkinson's and it made getting around with a walking frame and then a wheelchair much easier.

She did not want vinyl or laminate (cold & institutional without having area rugs on it which was not practical), so this was a good compromise. We Scotch-guarded it, so spills, etc cleaned up easily. And it really did look nice and wore well and when the house was sold, we stopped in once and the new people with young children had kept it!

Don't rush about, slower is better and take a second to think about what you need to do.