Watch your step! Falls can lead to serious injuries, such as hip and wrist fractures, that can rob you of your independence -and even your life. In fact, falls are the main cause of serious injuries and death in older people.

As we age, normal changes like dimming eyesight and failing hearing make us more prone to falling. Be sure to get regular check-ups from your doctor to test your eyes and ears. Some medications, including those for depression, high blood pressure and sleep problems, can affect our balance and make us unsteady on our feet, causing falls. See your doctor right away if you feel dizzy, weak, unsteady or confused - it might be due to a drug you're taking, an illness or a physical condition.

If your doctor recommends that you use a cane or a walker, don't ignore that advice! It can make the difference between being mobile and having to recover from a fracture. Also, when getting up after you've been lying down, always sit for a couple of minutes before standing up - you'll be less likely to feel dizzy. And try to get enough exercise and calcium in your diet to keep your bones strong and prevent fractures.

Take these steps to make your home safer and prevent slips, trips and falls:

• Wear shoes or slippers with nonskid soles
  
  
• Keep your home well-lit and use night-lights to keep from tripping over things
  
  
• Get rid of throw rugs or fasten them to the floor
  
  
• Don't put electrical cords across pathways
  
  
• Install grab bars by the bathtub and toilet 
  
  
• Put in handrails on both sides of stairways
  
  
• Don't climb on stools or stepladders - let someone else do the reaching for you
  
  
• Don't use slippery waxes on floors