According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 Americans age 65 or older fall each year. Falls can be serious and costly, resulting in broken bones, hospitalization, head injury, and expensive medical bills. You can prevent falls with simple, easy actions.

Conditions that put you at a higher risk for falling include lower body weakness, vision problems, low vitamin D, and difficulties with walking and balance. Medications that increase your risk of falling include medications that affect the brain, medications that affect blood pressure, and medications that lower blood sugar.

The good thing is, there are many things you can do to help decrease your risk of falling:

Take charge of your health and take these steps to help decrease your risk of falling. Tell your doctor right away if you fall, worry about falling, or feel unsteady.