Falls

I have talked a great deal about falls and the importance of not falling for seniors. I have always tried to be careful and to follow my own advice. The cold has been extreme in my area, as it has in many others, and we have hummingbird feeders to help the birds survive the winter. These feeders are freezing so we have been following a routine like many others of leaving out one feeder and when it is frozen, replacing it with the one that is not. This allows the food to be available to the hummingbirds throughout the day. 

The birds show up about 8:00 in the morning on a regular basis, so I have been getting up at about 7:00 AM to put out a feeder. To replace or put out the feeder I have to climb a stepladder about 3 steps, but yesterday I noticed the steps were icy. I should have cleaned them, but it was cold, so I left the ice and snow on the steps. Big mistake. At 7:00 AM I was up and took the feeder out to put it up. I climbed up two steps on the stepladder and went to take the third step. Ice is unforgiving and I went down. Lucky for me the 8 cm  (3 inches) of snow broke my fall. I landed on my elbow and side but I kept my head up. The feeder flew across the lawn opening but not breaking. The snow jolted me awake and I swallowed my pride and went and put the other feeder out.

Falls can be dangerous to seniors even minor ones, and I am in a bit of pain but a lesson learned. Even the shortest lack of attention can do you harm. Be safe out there and be careful. I am ok but my pride is wounded but the birds were able to feed this morning.