Official website of the
City of Vancouver, Washington

Fire Department

Safety & Prevention - Fire Safety At Home

Fall prevention strategies

The Vancouver Fire Department is among the first fire departments in the nation to tackle one of the largest and most difficult single causes of emergency medical service calls -- falls. Falls are an enormous and growing public health threat.

Last year Vancouver firefighters and firemedics responded to over 1300 fall emergencies.

Falls are a leading cause of unintentional injury in the home and many are preventable.  People of all ages, ethnicity and income levels can take steps to prevent falls.

Attitude adjustment needed

The first step to reduce falls is to change attitudes. Falls are not inevitable - many can be prevented through behavior modification and home modification. While statistics show that falls are most devastating for elders, it's important for residents of all ages to get involved and take steps to stop falls.

Partnership approach

Along with our partner, Southwest Wash. Medical Center, in 2005 we began a targeted media public education campaign to reduce falls. A series of safety spots produced in Vancouver have aired on select Comcast TV channels in the Vancouver and Clark County area. (Home & Garden, Telemundo, Lifetime, History Channel, Fox News, Hallmark, Country Music.)

The 30-second falls prevention safety vignettes aired over 1200 times in 2005, 2006 and 2007. According to the Nielson rating numbers, the schedule reached 52,512 adults, ages 35-64, an average of 44.9 times over the course of each year.

To measure the effectiveness of the campaign, a two-part annual survey commenced in 2005. It includes a random phone survey of 100 residents, plus 24 face-to-face interview with members of the target audience.

Did you know...

• Our youngest and oldest residents are at greatest risk from falls
• 50% - 70% of falls are due to home hazards that can be mitigated
• Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries and the fourth leading cause of accidental death in Clark County.
• Typical examples of injuries from falls include falling on stairs or throw rugs, slipping in the shower or bathtub, and tripping over household items.
• You may benefit from simple home safety enhancement measures, including installation of falls prevention devices in your home.

What can you do today?

• Look around your home for ways to prevent falls. See the Home Self Assessment checklist.
• Some residents may need help from family or friends, or the services of a contractor, to make smart safety modifications. Properly done, these changes can also improve the value of your home!

Sobering facts for seniors...

• 212,000 hip fractures occur each year nationally among seniors leaving nearly half of those individuals permanently disabled
• 50% of all older adults hospitalized for hip fractures cannot return home or live independently after their injuries
• Medical costs for seniors who fall is estimated at $3 billion
• One in three of those aged 65 years and older fall at least once
• One in forty of those will be hospitalized – and only half will survive the year

To learn more, or to request a free brochure on home safety, call the VFD Fire Marshal's Office at (360) 696-8166 or E-mail for more information.

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