Programs that are designed to increase public awareness of the risk factors associated with trips, slips and falls by older adults and others in and around their homes and the measures that can be taken prevent their occurrence. Delivery formats may include fact sheets, safety check lists or other informational materials; individual or group educational sessions which may include strength and balance exercises; and general media campaigns. The programs may address illnesses and other physical conditions that affect mobility and balance; "high-risk" medications or medication combinations that may cause drowsiness; lack or improper use of needed mobility aids; proper versus improper footwear; environmental safety hazards such as unsafe or unlighted stairways, uneven or slippery walking surfaces, obstacles such as throw rugs and exposed cords or wires, unsteady furniture or lack of grab bars and handrails; and other similar factors.

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Programs that conduct home inspections to assess and make recommendations to eliminate potentially hazardous conditions and to ensure that the individual or family has a plan to deal with emergencies should they arise. Safety evaluation programs often target homes with children or elderly residents and focus on dangerous rugs or floors, fire hazards, unsanitary or unsafe kitchens or bathrooms, poor lighting, unsafe storage of medication and other toxic materials, hazardous placement of kitchen equipment and other tools, access barriers in the home or yard and other discernible problems.

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Programs that are designed to increase public awareness of the measures people can take to ensure that hazardous household products, pesticides, medication, plants and other poisonous substances are beyond the reach of children, pets and other vulnerable individuals. Topics may include a list of dangerous materials typically found in the home, suggestions for their safe storage and handling, remedies to keep on hand (e.g., syrup of ipecac which induces vomiting when people eat or drink certain poisons), and steps to take if a poisoning incident occurs.

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