News Release                   For Immediate Release

December 3, 2004

Seniors’ Winter Safety in Public Places Campaign

One in three seniors in Ontario will fall and hurt themselves this winter.  To help prevent falls in public places, the City of Owen Sound and the Public Health Unit have launched a seniors’ winter safety campaign. 

Close to 11,000 bookmarks will be mailed to residents in the Owen Sound area with the request that the bookmark be kept in their phone books and the information used to call the City’s Public Works Division at 376-4274 if they spot a hazard on municipal property.  People are asked to note the hazard, the community location, the street name and number and any other pertinent information.  

Tips on winter safety will be broadcast over the radio.  These ads feature four actors from the “Stay on Your Feet” theatre troupes.  Also, “Stepping Out Safely” pamphlets for winter walking have been distributed to area hospitals and agencies.

Falls are a special concern in Grey and Bruce counties as the rate of hospitalization from falls is significantly higher than the provincial average.  A recent report using data from the Ontario Trauma Registry showed that in 2001/2002 Grey County had 484 hospitalizations and Bruce County had 419.  This represents a rate of 59.3 per 10,000 population for Grey-Bruce and is 70% higher than the provincial rate of 34.9 per 10,000 population.

“Winter conditions can be especially dangerous for falls,” states Dr. Steve Gazzola, Chief of Emergency at Grey Bruce Health Services. “Every time there is ice, we see an increase in patients with broken bones coming to the ER.  These injuries can be devastating, especially for the elderly.  Many of these injuries mean a loss of independence to the individual and the sad thing is that these injuries are often preventable.”

To prevent a fall, consider these tips:

-         Clear trip hazards.

-         Focus on one thing at a time.

-         Be active every day.

-         Wear boots with a good tread.

-         Have your vision checked.

-         Consider staying inside during icy conditions.

City representative Bill Twaddle, who is a member of the Community Project Team for Falls Prevention and a member of the Public Works Advisory Committee, states that he is pleased to support this initiative to help people avoid injuries.

The Community Coalition for the Prevention of Falls in Older Adults and Public Health are pleased to announce that this program has been funded by "Stay On Your Feet" funding from the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation. For further information call Public Health at 881-1920 ext. 246, or visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.”

-30-

For more information:

Marguerite Thomas, Public Health Nurse

Injury Prevention Program

Grey Bruce Health Unit

(519) 887-6995 (home)