This is a compilation of facts about slips and falls presented by Handi-Treads, a HandiRamp company. For more information go to www.handitreads.com or www.handiramp.com

1. Facts About Slips & Falls

2. Slips and falls cause over 19,000 deaths in the USA annually. Source: Center for Disease Control Slip and falls cost the United States economy over $30 billion annually. Source: National Safety Council

3. 95 million workdays are lost due to slip and fall accidents. Source: Liberty Mutual 303,800 workplace fall injuries occurred in 2000. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

4. 2 million people are treated in emergency rooms annually due to slip and fall accidents. Source: Center for Disease Control Slip and fall accidents cost the US $3.5 million every hour of every day. Source: National Safety Council

5. Slip and falls are the #1 cause of accidents for employees and customers in supermarkets. Source: National Floor and Safety Institute The nation’s grocery store industry spends $450 million to defend against slip and fall claims. Source: National Floor and Safety Institute

6. Slips and falls are responsible for 57% of all Food Service general insurance liability claims. Source: CNA Insurance Slips and falls are the #1 cause of accidents in hotels, restaurants and public buildings and 70% of these accidents occur on flat and level surfaces. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor

7. The average cost to defend a slip and fall lawsuit is $50,000. Source: National Floor Safety Institute Injuries resulting from slips and falls are the cause of 65% of all loss workdays.Source: Liberty Mutual

8. In 2003, more than 13,700 people 65 years or older died of fall-related injuries. Source: National Safety Council Injuries from falls are the most common cause of visits to the emergency room for young children and adults age 65 and older. Source: National Safety Council

9. One in every three people over the age of 65 falls each year. Source: National Safety Council Injuries related to falls account for 50% of all hospital visits for children under 11 years old. Source: National Safety Council

10. Of those people aged 65 and over who are injured in a fall, 20 to 30 percent suffer moderate to severe injuries that reduce mobility and independence and increase the risk of premature death. Source: National Safety Council Those 65 and over are hospitalized for fall-related injuries five times more often than they are for injuries from other causes. Source: National Safety Council

11. Chicago’s Willis Building (formerlySears Tower) is the tallest US building with 2,109 steps. A Handi-Tread™ could be put on every step for less than half the cost of defending one slip and fall lawsuit. Source: National Floor Safety Institute and Handi-Products Go to www.handitreads.com To see the difference one stair tread can make!