If you have a pet, you should take extra care to watch your step around your home, especially if you're at higher risk of breaking a bone.

According to research reported in late March in a publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 87,000 fall injuries involving dogs or cats occur each year in the United States. That adds up to nearly 10 people each hour receiving injuries involving Fido or Fluffy that are severe enough to require a trip to the emergency room.

Nearly 7.5 times as many injuries involved dogs than cats, and women were more than twice as likely to be injured as men. The most common injuries were broken bones, bruises, and scrapes. One-quarter of falls involving dogs occurred when people were walking the animals, and many people fell down after being pulled or pushed by the dog. When cats were involved, the injury often involved tripping over the animal - though many people were injured while chasing their cat.

Of the people who needed to be hospitalized for their injuries, nearly 80 percent were admitted for broken bones.

Ways to help protect yourself from a pet-related fall injury include:

• Making sure pet toys and pet dishes are picked up and out of the way
   
• Choosing a low-key animal that's not inclined to jump on you or follow you near your feet
   
• Enrolling your dog in obedience training so it doesn't get as agitated or excited
   
• Being screened for osteoporosis. Many people first learn that their bones are fragile after they have a fall that causes a fracture. Life Line Screening can check the density of your bones so you and your doctor can take steps to treat osteoporosis before you have one of these injuries.

Learn more about screening for osteoporosis

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