Take Care to Avoid a Fall

By Jude Mead

After a long, icy winter that saw a spike in falls across town, residents are urged to look beyond seasonal hazards. While snow and ice can make conditions more dangerous, many serious falls occur daily during routine activities indoors, outdoors, or at work. The National Safety Council notes that falls remain one of the leading causes of preventable injuries nationwide, impacting people of all ages.

A recent series of local incidents has brought that reality into sharper focus, underscoring how a fall can happen in an instant yet result in lasting consequences. The experiences of Margaret Sax and Eileen Fitzgibbons highlight not only the physical impact of falls, but also the perseverance required to recover. Their stories serve as a reminder that while falls can happen without warning, taking simple precautions and staying aware can help prevent them.

Local resident Margaret Sax, suffered a serious fall in her own home that significantly altered her daily life. An avid swimmer and outdoor enthusiast, Sax tripped while walking upstairs after catching her foot on a long robe. The fall left her with injuries to her leg and hip, as well as a compression fracture in her vertebrae. “The hardest thing was knowing my limits,” Saxe said. “Rushing recovery may cause more pain from overdoing it.

Sax’s recovery included painful muscle spasms and the slow, difficult process of learning to walk again. Beyond the physical challenges, she also struggled with a fear of using stairs and began avoiding activities that once felt routine. With time, however, she regained her confidence and is now working to raise awareness about the broader risks of falling.

“Falling can happen to anyone,” she said. “It should not just be associated with older people.” Today, Sax takes extra precautions, such as always using stair railings and carrying items like laundry in smaller loads. She stresses the importance of staying alert and minimizing distractions, such as cell phones, to help prevent similar accidents.

Another local resident, Eileen Fitzgibbons, suffered a serious injury while hiking on Canaan Mountain with her son. As she descended a steep section of the trail, she stepped on a rock that seemed secure but shifted beneath her, twisting her ankle and causing a complex fracture.

Her recovery was made even more challenging because her fall happened during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented family visits and added emotional strain to an already difficult situation. “That was scary,” Fitzgibbons recalled, “but I was well taken care of.”

Rehabilitation was long and demanding: five months in a wheelchair, four months using a walker, and an additional two months with a cane. Despite these obstacles, she maintained a positive outlook, bolstered by support from family, friends and her community. “People would drop off books, flowers, dinners and even wine,” she said. “Although they couldn’t visit, I never felt depressed.”

During her recovery, Fitzgibbons embraced activities she had long put off, including listening to inspiring podcasts or poetry and painting. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience as a massage therapist, she also incorporated therapeutic techniques into her healing. Today, she approaches movement with greater mindfulness and intention, fully aware of her body and its limits.

Both residents shared their stories in the hope that others will take fall prevention seriously—before an accident happens. By speaking openly about their injuries, recoveries and the challenges they faced, they aim to raise awareness about how quickly a routine moment can turn dangerous. They also hope their experiences will encourage people to be more mindful in their daily lives and to take simple, proactive steps to reduce risks at home, at work, and outdoors. There are a range of measures to help lower the risk of falls. In work settings, it is essential to install guardrails on elevated surfaces and carry out regular safety inspections. At home, keeping walkways clear, stabilizing ladders, enhancing lighting, using handrails on stairs and non-slip rugs can reduce the chance of accidents. People should also choose proper footwear for outdoor activities and consider using poles when hiking