Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere and everywhere and are the sole reason for over one million emergency room visits in the United States. While most people take slip-and-fall accidents lightly and do not do much about them, the injuries acquired from such accidents can potentially cause thousands of dollars of loss.
If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident due to someone else’s fault, you could have a huge monetary loss coming your way. For starters, the medical bills and medication costs would alone be a few thousand dollars.
On top of that, you would lose your income for being unable to work. Consult with a slip and fall accident attorney to get the compensation you deserve.
Tips to prevent slip and fall accidents inside the school premises
- Appropriate entryway carpets.
Having proper and good quality carpets at every entrance of the school is one of the basics of safety. Carpets and water-absorbing mats are important, especially during the rainy and winter seasons, for students, teachers, and other staff to dry their footwear before entering the premises. This prevents the corridors and classrooms from becoming wet and slippery and reduces the chances of a slip-and-fall accident.
- Using stairs safely.
Stairs are where a significant percentage of slip and fall premises accidents occur. This is more common in schools because small children and teenagers tend to be more careless on the stairs. They often run or walk inappropriately, causing an accident. It is important to take your time while using the stairs and use the handrails for extra support. Students should avoid carrying bulky loads while walking down the stairs, but if they must do so, they must go slowly.
- Outdoor maintenance schedule.
The school should appoint a team of staff for the purpose of outdoor maintenance from time to time throughout the day. The authorities should establish a regular maintenance routine to check the stairways, sidewalks, walkways, and doorways and ensure that the area is safe to walk. When a hazard is identified, the school should take care of it immediately. If the hazard cannot be fixed right away, the school should put up a sign in bright colors indicating danger.
- Weather-safe shoe policy.
The school should encourage the students, teachers, and other staff members to wear weather-appropriate clothes, especially shoes. For example, refrain from wearing fancy shoes during the winter and rainy months. Proper footwear with soles to control slippage can significantly reduce the chances of slipping and falling.
