Injury Matters runs two Move Improve Remove campaigns each year through the Stay On Your Feet® program. Each campaign focuses on modifiable risk factors to prevent falls and promotes the Move Your Body, Improve Your Health and Remove Hazards messages for older adults who live in the community, their families and carers, and professionals.
Each campaign consists of a variety of activities throughout Western Australia, including training for health and community workers, local community events for older adults, resources, community grants, and advertising on television and social media.
The Remove Hazards campaign launched on 1st September!
The Remove Hazards campaign launched on 1 September and will run until the end of November 2023. Remove Hazards is one part of the Move Improve Remove messaging used to encourage older adults to stay active, independent, and prevent falls.
An individual’s vision, foot health, and home environment can influence their falls risk, and maintaining overall health and wellbeing is essential for healthy ageing. Remove Hazards looks at simple changes that can improve a person’s health and wellbeing, focusing on the following modifiable risk factors for falls:
Remove Hazards campaign key messages
- Removing hazards in and around the house makes your home safer.
- Your vision helps you maintain your balance and identify and navigate hazards and obstacles in your environment.
- Taking care of your feet and wearing safe footwear helps you to stay active and mobile.
- Falls are preventable.
Remove Hazards campaign calls to action
- Use the Stay On Your Feet® Home Safety Checklist to remove hazards in and around your home.
- See an optometrist for eye checks every two years or if your vision changes.
- Use the Stay On Your Feet® Healthy Foot Guide to look after your feet and see a podiatrist if you notice any changes.
- Use the Stay On Your Feet® Shoe Safety Checklist and wear safe footwear that fits well.
- Tell a doctor or GP if you have a fall.
Get involved in the Remove Hazards campaign
Spread the word with social media posts and eSignatures
Make Your Home Safer social media post
Your home is your safe haven, so let’s keep it nice and tidy. With over half of all falls happening in and around the home, make sure to clear clutter and spills as soon as they occur, remove sliding mats or rugs, and ensure your space is well-lit. Not sure where to start? Use Stay On Your Feet®’s free Home Safety Checklist to see where your home could be safer. Removing hazards can help prevent falls. Visit www.injurymatters.org.au/programs/stay-on-yourfeet/information-for-over-60s/home-safety-checklist or call 1300 30 35 40.
Check Your Eyesight social media post
You may not even notice when your eyesight starts to degrade, but your optometrist will! Adults with vision impairment are twice as likely to fall than adults without.Reduce the risk of a fall due to changing vision by seeing your optometrist at least once every two years and see your doctor as soon as you notice any changes to your vision. Removing hazards can help prevent falls. Visit www.injurymatters.org.au/programs/stay-on-your-feet/information-for-over-60s/check-your-eyesight or call 1300 30 35 40.
Wear Safe Footwear social media post
Our shoes play a big part in our confidence and balance when we move. Make sure you’re wearing safe footwear that fits well, has a textured sole, and supports your feet. If you have a favourite pair, check how safe they are with Stay On Your Feet®’s free Shoe Safety Checklist. Visit your podiatrist with your results, or if you notice any changes to your feet. Removing hazards can help
prevent falls. Visit www.injurymatters.org.au/programs/stay-on-your-feet/information-for-over-60s/wear-safe-footwear or call 1300 30 35 40.
Make Your Home Safer eSignature
Check Your Eyesight eSiganture
Wear Safe Footwear eSignature
Attend a Remove Hazards training for health professionals
Injury Matters provides training and networking events that aim to increase your capacity to work in falls prevention. Keep an eye on our events page for Remove Hazards trainings throughout the campaign, which will be regularly updated on our website and shared via social media.
Host a Remove Hazards presentation in your community
Are you interested in hosting your own Remove Hazards event in your community? We’ve got you sorted with our FREE community presentations. Delivered by one of our trained Stay On Your Feet® Peer Educators and designed for older adults, the Remove Hazards presentation focuses on creating safe environments and looking after eyesight and feet to prevent falls and promote healthy ageing.
Use the new Spot the Hazards game with older adults
Slips, trips and falls can happen to anyone, but the risk of falls increases as we age. It is important to promote safety measures that help older adults live independently within the community. The Spot the Hazard game is a great way to show older adults how to spot hazards and make their homes safer in a fun and interactive way!
Order FREE Remove Hazards resources
