A Safety Checklist For Your Home
Help Reduce the Risk of Falls
with a Home Safety Evaluation
Falls are one of the leading causes of injury and death among older people. About half of all falls occur in the home. Fear of falling can be a healthy awareness or it can unduly restrict someone's ability to maintain an active and rewarding lifestyle. As we age, or have health changes, we rarely consider the changes we can make in our homes to adapt them to our current situations. By changing a few things in the home, the chances of a fall can be greatly reduced. A home safety evaluation can be the first step in reducing fall risks in the home and reassuring family members that their aging parents can safely age in place in their own home.
Take a look at each area in your home. Use the checklist below to identify potential problems. Then refer to the suggested solutions.
| All Areas of Your Home |
Are electrical and phone cords out of the way of traffic?If not.....
Are rooms, halls, and stairs free of obstacles?If not.....
Are scatter rugs and carpeting secured and slip-resistant?If not.....
Are rooms and hallways sufficiently lit?If not.....
|
| Your Bathroom |
Is your shower or tub safe?If not.....
|
| Your Bedroom |
Are you safe getting up at night?If not.....
|
| Your Kitchen |
Are frequently used items easy to reach?If not.....
Are the stove controls easy to see, reach, and turn off and on?If not.....
|
Most importantly, stay active, use common sense, and find safe ways to keep doing the things you've always enjoyed doing.
- Take a walk with a friend
- Get outside when the weather is nice
- Stay in touch with friends and family