Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com
Published - Thursday, May 08, 2008
Report: Wis. one of worst states for falls by people over 65
MILWAUKEE — An independent organization says more Wisconsin residents over 65 die from accidental falls than do seniors in almost any other state.
In a report released Wednesday, the National Safety Council said Wisconsin had one of the highest rates of deaths from falls as well as one of the highest death totals.
The council says about 87 of every 100,000 Wisconsin seniors die from falls each year. That’s second only to New Mexico, which averaged 99 deaths.
The agency couldn’t say why Wisconsin’s rate was so high. Other states that have a lot of snow and ice had lower death rates, including Minnesota with 72, Michigan with 38 and Illinois with 28.
The safety council urges older adults to take precautions such as securing rugs with nonskid bottoms and installing handrails.
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