124,000 fall-related ER visits: the footwear rules hospitals want you to follow

The heating is coming back on, evenings are getting colder, and the old slippers are being pulled out of cupboards again. But before you spend another autumn padding around the house in the same pair, it is worth taking two minutes to look at them properly.

Footwear may not be the cause of every fall. But hospitals and fall-prevention teams repeatedly include shoes and slippers among the everyday things worth checking. And their warnings concern exactly the sort of comfortable old slippers many people wear around the house.

Accidental falls among over-65s are increasing

New figures from a Dutch safety institute show that an estimated 124,000 people aged 65 and over ended up at a Dutch emergency department after a fall in 2025. That works out to roughly one person every four minutes. In 78% of those cases, the injury was classed as serious. NHS also warns that hundreds of thousands of older adults fall and suffer injuries in Wales annually.

The 124,000 emergency-department visits recorded for 2025 were up from an estimated 119,000 in 2024. Serious fall injuries among over-65s have risen by 16% over the past decade, with the sharpest increase of 18% among people aged 65 to 74.

Those hospital figures show only part of the problem. Around one in three, or one million Dutch people, aged 65 and over, fall each year.

Falling isn't something you have to accept as you get older. Strength, balance, medication, eyesight and the layout of the home can all play a role. Footwear is another factor, and fortunately one you can inspect in a couple of minutes.

Start looking at the back of your slippers

One of the clearest pieces of advice is to choose footwear that stays securely on the foot.

Hospitals recommend a closed shoe with a rubber sole and a broad heel no higher than 2.5 centimetres. If regular shoes cannot be worn, it advises sturdy slippers with a good sole and a closed heel. It also warns that footwear that has become too loose through wear provides less support.

UK fall-prevention guidance makes much the same point. Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS describes appropriate footwear as well-fitting, with a low, wide heel, a firm supportive sole and a fastening such as laces, Velcro or a buckle. Backless slippers are listed among the less-safe options for most people at increased risk of falling.

The important part is not whether something is technically sold as a “slipper”. It is whether it stays securely around your foot as you walk.

Old favourites quietly become less supportive

Even a pair that once fitted well can change after months or years of use.

Health workers warn that worn-out slippers can pose a falls risk. It also advises against walking around in socks or tights alone, because doing so can increase the likelihood of falling.

Health boards advise replacing old or worn slippers and enclosed pairs whose heels have been crushed flat from repeatedly stepping on the backs. They also warn against very soft, spongy soles and recommend slippers that fit securely, preferably with an adjustable fastening such as Velcro.

So that battered pair that feels comfortable precisely because it has moulded itself around your feet may deserve a closer look.

Give your slippers this two-minute check

Put them on and walk through the house as you normally would. Then check:

• Does the heel stay securely around your foot? You should not need to shuffle or curl your toes to keep the slipper on.
• Has the back been crushed flat? If you regularly step on the heel instead of putting your foot inside properly, the slipper no longer provides the intended support.
• Is the sole still in good condition? Replace slippers with badly worn or damaged soles.
• Is the heel low and broad? Hospital guidance consistently favours a stable, low heel rather than a narrow or high one.
• Does the slipper actually fit? It should not slide around, but your toes still need room. RDaSH advises approximately 1.2 cm between the toes and the end of the footwear.

If swollen feet or stiff joints make enclosed slippers difficult to put on, an adjustable Velcro fastening can make them easier to use. A long-handled shoehorn can also help without resorting to loose, backless footwear.

Think twice before walking around in socks

Getting up during the night and walking to the bathroom in socks may feel harmless, especially if it is only a few metres. But hospital guidance specifically cautions against walking around in socks, stockings or tights instead of proper footwear.

Keeping suitable slippers within reach of the bed can make it easier to put them on before standing up.

No slipper can guarantee that somebody will not fall. But with the latest figures showing how common serious falls are, checking whether the pair beside the sofa still fits, stays on, and has a sound sole is a simple check that might prevent a nasty fall.