In my work as a fall assessment specialist, we have to take in all sorts of environmental factors when determining a client’s risk for falls.  Age, medications, floor coverings, steps, proximity of furniture, it all plays a part in our risk for falls.  A recent article by Bill Hendrick of WebMD Health News reminds us of another such environmental risk.  He notes that tens of thousands of people trip over their pets each year causing fractures or other nonfatal fall related injures.  Falls resulting in emergency treatment averaged nearly 87,000 per year with 88% related to dogs.

Some interesting findings:

• Women were more likely to be injured.
• Dogs were responsible 7.5 times over that of cats.
• Injuries from animals is most common in persons aged 35-54 or 14 and under
• Highest fracture rate though was in persons over 75
• Most falls occurred at home

By percentages:

Dog related

• 31.3%-fell or tripped over dog
• 21.2%-pushed or pulled by the dog

Cat related

• 66.4% fell or tripped over cat

When considering a pet, especially for those at risk of falling, keep in mind these statistics.  Consider obedience training for your pets so they will be less likely to push or pull you down or get under feet.  As the owner of a 4 pound Yorkshire Terrier and a 17 pound Poodle Yorkie mix, I don’t think that size has much bearing.  Both of my dogs tend to get under my feet at times.  They especially love hanging out under feet when we are cooking.  My Poodle mix crawls under the vanity each morning while I get ready for work and I never know when he is going to have his leg sticking out just as I take a step.  As a precaution, consider these safety tips…

• Discourage pets from lying beside the bed at night or at the foot of chairs or stairs.  Always check to see where your pet is before jumping up.
• Don’t leave pet toys out in the middle of the floor.
• Be aware of spills around pet bowls and clean up quickly to prevent slips and falls.
• Keep areas where a pet is likely to sleep, play or eat well lighted.
• Curb unwanted pet behaviors such as jumping.
• Ask for help handling the leash when walking your dog if necessary.

As much as I love my pets, they do put us at risk at times.  Before considering bringing a pet into a home, please consider these risks first.

Do you have a pet that is constantly underfoot?  Have you been injured in a fall or other injury that involved a pet?  I would love to hear about the cause and how you think this incident might have been prevented.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Pets Cause Thousands Of Injuries (cbsnews.com)
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• Tripped lately? Blame Fido! (cnn.com)