Despite what we saw in the Home Alone movies, slips, trips, and falls are no laughing matter. For business insurance providers, slip-and-fall-related injuries account for 28% of lost time claims and are roughly 35% more expensive than average. Scarier still, according to US Department of Labor statistics, slips, trips, and falls are the second-leading cause of accidental death–right behind auto accidents–with 15% caused by flooring-related accidents. Whether you’re updating your kitchen, setting up a woodshop in the garage, or building a new retail site, the flooring materials and cabinetry you select could make the difference between another busy day in the home office or a trip to the ER. Keep reading to learn more about how to prevent trip hazards at your home or workplace.

1. Start a Good Housekeeping Routine. Most lapses in traction happen because either the floor is slippery or there’s something in the way. Starting (and sticking with) a regular flooring maintenance routine can stop accidents before they start. Regular cleaning and maintenance keeps floors free of hazardous debris that’ll trip you up if you aren’t careful. Check out our other blog posts for tips on maintaining your tile, laminate, vinyl, and hardwood floors.  

2. Turn On the Bright Lights. Lighting–specifically, the absence of it–is a major cause of trip-and-fall accidents. Pay special attention to work areas like kitchen countertops, plus staircases, hallways, basements, entry doors, porches, and patios. Keep these spaces well-lit and free of obstacles like loose floormats or electrical cords and maintain a clear path to lamps or light switches. Stop into our flagship Canton Superstore to shop lighting fixtures at the Kitchen Design Center.

3. Caution – Wet Floor! Moisture not only damages your floors by causing boards to become warped and encouraging mold and mildew, it’s also a co-conspirator in thousands of injuries around the kitchen, bathroom, driveway, and workplace. We don’t know of anyone who keeps a “wet floor” sign in the closet at home, but you can install water-resistant nonslip mats in the tub and by the kitchen sink and clean up any spills immediately. In the wintertime, keep salt and a snow shovel handy to de-ice your driveway, sidewalk, and porch.

4. Watch Your Shins. Sometimes it’s not so much the floor, but what’s in the way. A faulty latch on a kitchen cupboard or a drawer that’s not lined up just right could have you taking a faceplant for the team if you’re not paying attention. Here at Dan’s Wholesale Carpet & Flooring, we’re stocked with kitchen and bath cabinets, countertops, kitchen islands, bathroom vanities, plus hardware and accessories so you’re not smacking yourself in the shins with the junk drawer.

5. Check Between Rooms. Often the transition between one type of flooring and another is the epicenter for trip hazards. Check the threshold between rooms for loose boards, ripped carpet, chipped tile, or other potential hazards and replace or repair ASAP.

Dan’s Wholesale Carpet & Flooring has everyday wholesale pricing on top-quality flooring materials, lighting fixtures, kitchen and bath cabinetry, hardware, and everything else you need for a hazard-free home or workplace. Stop into any of our four northeast Ohio locations or give us a call to schedule your free in-home shopping appointment today!