Reduce the Chance of a Fall Falls are the leading cause of nonfatal unintentional injuries for every age group, except 10 to 24 year olds—for whom it's the second leading cause! Falls send approximately 8,000 children to U.S. emergency rooms every day. Leading causes of falls for both children and adults include stairs and steps. Other leading causes of falls for children include trips, slips, and falls from furniture or playground equipment.	10 Simple Ways to Protect Your Family From Falls 1. Wipe up spills immediately. 2. Remove small rugs (or tape them to the floor). 3. Remove clutter, which can be a tripping hazard–especially toys. 4. Use a bath mat or nonslip strips in tubs and showers. 5. Use night lights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways 6. Make sure you have adequate lighting at the top and bottom of stairs. 7. Install handrails on stairs. 8. If you have children, use gates at the top and bottom of stairs. 9. Don't leave small children unattended on a table, bed or elevated surface. 10. Establish clear, firm safety rules for children such as no jumping on furniture.