Walking Cane Safety Tips (How to Walk SAFELY With a Cane)

To get the most out of your walking cane, you should take safety into account. When using a cane, follow these safety instructions.

Although canes are incredibly safe pieces of equipment, you should still know how to handle them properly and create an environment favorable to canes.

Here you can read more about walking cane safety tips:

Check Your Cane Frequently

You probably have noticed that all walking canes end in a rubber tip. Even quad canes have four individual rubber-tipped points.

This is there so that your stick will not skid across the floor.

It creates a sort of friction to make sure that there is no slipperiness produced. For the most part, this small feature plays a large role in helping you stay upright.

However, this area due to frequent use and abuse tends to wear off.

Depending on the quality, some tips may wear off sooner than others. It is good to get into the habit of checking the bottom of your cane, every time you come home from a walk.

This is especially important if you have been walking outdoors with a cane on a hike or rough pavement, rocks, or other hard surfaces. These can cause the rubber to rip.

If it looks as though it is damaged, avoid using the cane until you can replace it.

Make sure the cap is tightly fastened onto the cane at all times.

Take Care After Standing

Sometimes, you may use a cane to help you stand up if you have been sitting. Other times, you may not require the assistance of a cane.

Regardless, however, you should always wait after you have just stood up.

Stand, grasp your cane, and wait for a moment.

If you feel dizzy or uncomfortable for a moment, wait until it passes. Only if your condition improves, should you begin moving with the help of your walking device.

You should avoid using your cane if you are not feeling particularly strong or if you are finding it difficult to remain steady on your feet.

Maintain Your Floors

Your walking device needs the right floor in order to support you. This means that you have to make sure that the floors in your home are clutter-free.

Make sure that there are no wires or other hazards crisscrossing the floor.

You should also not have any small rugs around as these can snag your walking device and pull you down.

If you need to have a carpet, make sure that the edges or the boundaries are not rising up. You should either tape them or nail these edges down.

Walking on a wet floor with a walking stick is one of the most dangerous things you can do. As a result, you are much more likely to slip and fall.

Avoid wet patches or wait until the floor has dried until you begin walking. You should avoid falls at all costs.

Keep Your Head Straight, Look Ahead

You may notice this when you first begin using your walking cane. Your gaze will drift downwards, towards your feet or the cane.

This, however, can be quite dangerous as you will not be able to see the obstructions or barriers that are lying ahead. This is why it is important for you to pay attention to the path ahead of you and not focus on the ground beneath.

You will be able to stop yourself from being entangled or from falling due to inattention.

Choosing the Right Cane

If you have a serious issue with mobility, you should consult with an expert to determine the most suitable walking cane for you.

A single-point device may be all you need in some cases. People with more severe mobility problems may require a four-footed quad cane.

Adjust the height of the cane so that your body is in a neutral position when you grasp the handle.

The Bottom Line

These are some of the most important walking cane safety tips that you should follow when using an assistive device.

This way, you will be able to experience all of the benefits and none of the adverse consequences.