City of Southlake

Falls Prevention Day is observed to promote and increase public awareness about how to prevent and reduce fall accidents through education and training; and,

Whereas, falls account for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits, representing the leading cause of visits. Slip and falls account for over 1 million visits or 12% of total falls; and,

Whereas, slips and falls are the leading cause of workers' compensation claims and are the leading cause of occupational injury for people aged 15-24 years; and,

Whereas, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, floors and flooring materials directly contribute to more than 2 million fall injuries each year; and,

Whereas, the National Floor Safety Institute is committed to thoroughly understanding the cause and effect relationship of slip-and-fall accidents that affect people each year and is also committed to helping reduce the growing number of slip-and-fall accidents; now,

Therefore, I, Mayor John Terrell, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim September 22, 2009, as

Falls Prevention Day 2009