Safety in the Home
Staying safe is a full-time job. There are so many different and creative ways for people to get hurt. Traffic accidents, falling through the ice, bothering a hive of bees, the list is endless!! What about your own home? What hazards lurk right underfoot? We are going to talk about fall prevention in your home.
Trips and Falls:
- Trips and falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries across almost all age groups in the United States, and according to the National Institute on Aging, 6 out of 10 falls happen at home. Furthermore, according to the National Floor Safety Institute, falls account for half of accidental deaths in the home. Much of the time, these falls occur at ground level and not at an elevation such as a staircase.
Tips to fall-proof your home: (From the National Institute of Aging)
Floors, Stairs, and Hallways:
- Ensure there are handrails on both sides of any stairs, and make sure they are secure. Hold the handrails when you go up or down stairs, even when you are carrying something. Don’t let anything you’re carrying block your view of the steps.
- Ensure there is good lighting with light switches at the top and bottom of stairs and on each end of a long hall. Consider using motion-activated lights that plug into electrical outlets and automatically turn on when you walk by them to help illuminate stairwells and pathways.
- Keep areas where you walk tidy. Don’t leave books, papers, clothes, or shoes on the floor or stairs.
- Check that all carpets are fixed firmly to the floor, so they won’t slip. Put no-slip strips, which you can buy at any hardware store, on tile and wooden floors.
- Don’t use throw rugs or small area rugs.
- Don’t walk on slippery, newly washed floors.
Bathrooms:
- Mount grab bars near toilets and on both the inside and outside of your tub and shower.
- Place nonskid mats, strips, or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet.
- Remember to leave a light on in the bathroom at night or use a night light that turns on automatically in the dark.
Bedrooms:
- Put night lights and light switches close to your bed.
- Keep a flashlight by your bed in case the power goes out and you need to get up.
- Place a landline or well-charged phone near your bed.
Kitchen:
- Keep frequently used pots, pans, and kitchen utensils in a place where they are easy to reach.
- Clean up spills immediately.
- Prepare food while seated to prevent fatigue or loss of balance.
Outdoor spaces:
- If you have steps leading to your front door, make sure they are not broken or uneven.
- Add non‐slip material to outdoor stairways.
- Keep the lawn, deck, or porch areas clear of debris, such as fallen branches.
- Consider installing a grab bar near the front door to provide balance while you are locking or unlocking the door.
- Turn on your porch light at night and if you leave during the day but plan on returning home after dark.
- In the winter, treat outdoor walkways with an ice melt product or sand to make them less slippery.
Other living areas:
- Keep electrical cords near walls and away from walking paths.
- Arrange your furniture (especially low coffee tables) and other objects so they are not in your way when you walk.
- Make sure your sofas and chairs are the right height for you to get in and out of easily.
- Keep items you use often at waist level or within easy reach.
- Don’t stand on a chair or table to reach something that’s too high — use a “reach stick” instead or ask for help. Reach sticks are special grabbing tools that you can buy at many hardware or medical-supply stores. If you use a step stool, make sure it’s steady and has a handrail on top. Have someone stand next to you.
- Don’t let your cat or dog trip you. Know where your pet is whenever you’re standing or walking.
- Keep a list of emergency numbers in large print near each landline phone and save them under “favorites” on your mobile phone.
You may also be interested in:
- Reading more about falls and falls prevention
- Checking out this video on balance exercises
- Exploring balance problems older adults may face