February 20, 2024Tips

How to Avoid A Fall - Top Tips to Prevent Falling If You Use A Walking Aid

If you're worried about falling when using a walking stick or crutches, either for yourself or someone you love please know there are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk and as a result, the fear. Giving you confidence when it comes to using walking aids is something we know first hand is KEY. Whether it's worrying about falling due to fatigue, pain or uneven terrain we wanted to share our top tips for staying confident and stable on your sticks:

Check Your Ferrules

Ferrules are the rubber tips on the bottom of your walking sticks or crutches and they're the single biggest risk if you use a mobility aid. Make sure you flip your stick to check the rubber tip on a monthly basis. What to look for? Plenty of definition in the base to give you grip, if it's smooth it's time to replace with either our standard replacement ferrules or if you're wearing through your tips more frequently than ever 3 months we recommend upgrading your ferrules to High Performance ones.

Pick Up Your Feet

Easier said than done, particularly if you have a condition or injury that includes Foot Drop, which means your foot drops as you walk. Making a conscious effort to pick up your feet as you walk and avoid shuffling is a great way to reduce your risk of a fall. If you are living with Foot Drop, our co founder Amelia is too and she has tried hundreds of orthotics but swears by the Neurodyn Foot Lift Orthosis from Beagle Orthopaedic. Why? It's easy to get on and off, soft like a sock so it doesn't cause skin abrasions or sores and can go in the wash so is easy to keep clean!

Manage Your Medication

Keeping on top of timings when it comes to medication is so important, a sudden increase in pain can really affect your walking. Always ensure you have the correct medication with you to avoid any sudden dips which can cause fatigue, pain and a higher risk of falling.

Steps to Reduce the Risk of Falling If You Use A Walking Aid

Try to Stay Active

Again, easier said than done but activity is what increases stamina when it comes to activity. The more you practice, the longer you can do comfortably. Little and often is great but by making a conscious effort to move regularly you will protect muscle strength and support yourself long term.

Don't Forget to Eat

Basic but true, if you can always make sure you have energy and try to keep an eye on it. Sudden drops in blood sugar can and will lead to dizziness and fatigue which greatly increase chances of falling if you use a walking aid.

If you aren't currently using a walking stick or crutches from our range we would strongly recommend checking them out - designed with functionality, silent, comfort and safety in mind they tick all the necessary boxes to keep you feeling comfortable and confident when walking.

Shop our full range here.

For more tips and recommendations for products to help support a happy life using walking aids, why not check out:

How to Pick the Best Stick - 5 Simple Steps to Finding the Best Mobility Aid for You

Our Guide to Rubber Tips - How to Pick the Best Ferrules for Your Sticks

How to Tell If You're Using the Wrong Mobility Aid

Best purchase

I've only had these crutches for 2 days, however after spending 4 years on NHS crutches I can safely say that these are leaps and bounds better. I am able to now walk about without getting fatigue in my hands and arms, and I feel so much more confident and less defined by my disability!

Just lovely

This design in swirling indigo paisley seems to go with almost everything I wear. So happy I got it. Having a mobility aid which is not only amazingly comfortable and secure, but also looks great and suits my own style, is a wonderful mood booster.

Favourite walking stick

I have purchased Cool crutches from yourselves in the past very comfortable walking stick & feel secure with them.
When I had the chance to have my design on a walking stick I thought I would go for it. I was over the moon with the result I know there isn’t going to be another one like it. I was also impressed with the grip on the stick it was soft & very comfortable. With arthritic hands & wrists this went a long way in making the walking stick very comfortable. Overall I’m very pleased with the product. Also, they are very well made. Thank you CC

Apart from the tiny lock that is difficult to remove for adjustment of the height, it is a solid and dependable walking stick.

Beautiful made me smile can you please consider a pink marble version too many thanks

Check Your Ferrules

Pick Up Your Feet

Let customers speak for us