Top reasons people visit the emergency department in the spring

Question: What events are bringing people into the emergency department this time of year?

Answer: It does not matter the time of year, falls are one of the biggest drivers for sending people to the emergency department. In the winter, people slip and fall on the ice.

As the temperatures warm up and people head back outside, we see an influx of injury-related visits from falls off bikes, eScooters and ATVs.

While falls cannot always be prevented, you can take steps to reduce your chances of a fall sending you to the hospital.

Always wear proper safety gear. If you are headed outside for an activity, make sure you are wearing the right gear to keep you safe. If you are using anything with wheels, chances are high you need to wear a helmet.

Keep in mind, a study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found 62% of bicycle fatalities in 2022 involved individuals who were not wearing a helmet. Other activities may require protection for your eyes or maybe even knee or elbow pads.

Check your gear. Before you go out for a ride, check to make sure your equipment is ready to go. Always make sure your brakes are working properly, tires are filled up and nothing looks out of place. Taking a few moments on the front-end of your adventure can help avoid unnecessary accidents.

Follow the rules. To help keep you and others safe, make sure you are following the rules of road and using your equipment as recommended. For example, eScooters are only designed to hold one rider at a time. You’d be surprised by how many people come to Idaho Falls Community Hospital after crashing with multiple people on an eScooter.

Sometimes, falls cannot be prevented. If you go down, remember to:

• Remain still and take deep breaths to help you relax
• Get up slowly if you can
• Yell for help or call 911 if you are hurt

While falls are scary for everyone, they become more dangerous as we age. Sadly, falls in individuals 65 and older can easily lead to complications like broken bones, head trauma and reduced mobility – all of which can impact your overall health and quality of life. Falling just once doubles your chance of falling again, so do all you can to prevent it.