Home Safety and Fall Prevention
Each year, thousands of older Americans fall at home. Falls are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but easy to fix. Use this handout to find potential hazards in your home and use the solutions given.
Home Entrances and Yard
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Potential Hazards
1) Lack of railings or unstable railing
2) Unsafe steps (too steep, cracked, or chipped)
3) Unmarked or raised threshold
4) Lack of lighting at night
5) Unsafe Pavement (cracked or uneven)
6) Ice or snow in driveway
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Solutions
1) Add at least 1 rail or have unstable railing stabilized
2) Have damaged or broken steps repaired
3) Mark end of thresholds with paint or tape
4) Add an outdoor light fixture or sensor light
5) Have pavement repaired or avoid walking on those places
6) Have neighbor or family member assist with removal
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Hallways or Foyers
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Potential Hazards
1) Uneven or slippery flooring
2) Cluttered area
3) Dark or poor lighting
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Solutions
1) Keep floors dry or add carpet and secure it to floor
2) Use shoe trays/hooks to eliminate clutter
3) Increase wattage in overhead lights or add lighting
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Kitchen
Potential Hazards
1) Cabinet too high or too low
2) Not enough counter space
3) Using a stool or chair to reach things
4) Presence of throw rug or slippery floor
5) Poor lighting
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Solutions
1) Move most used items closest to counter
2) Available space is clear of clutter
3) Replace stool with steady step ladder
4) Remove rug or secure rug to floor or wear non-slip socks
5) Add additional overhead or under counter lighting
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Staircases
Potential Hazards
1) Lack of or poor lighting
2) Lack of railings
3) Clutter
4) Steep steps
5) Slippery steps without tread or carpet
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Solutions
1) Add additional lighting or increase wattage
2) Add at least one railing
3) Eliminate clutter from stairs
4) Use railings for stability or decrease use of stairs
5) Add adhesive stair treads or carpet runner
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Bathrooms
Potential Hazards
1) Presence of bath rug
2) Lack of grab bars in shower and near toilet
3) Toilet is too high or too low
4) Slippery tub or shower
5) Tub is too high to step into
6) Lack of bath chair or tub bench
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Solutions
1) Use a bath rug with non-skid bottom
2) Add grab bars in shower and near toilet
3) Add raised toilet seat or consider low profile toilet
4) Add rubber mat to bottom of tub
5) Add tub transfer bench
6) Add a bath chair
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Bedroom and Living Rooms
Potential Hazards
1) Clutter
2) Electric Cords
3) Throw rugs
4) Height of bed
5) Lack of telephone objects near bed
6) Lack of light
7) Difficulty getting in/out bed
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Solutions
1) Place items on shelves or in drawers
2) Run cords behind furnishings
3) Remove rugs or use double sided rug tape
4) Too low: use bed risers; Too high: Remove bed frame, use lower profile mattress
5) Place most commonly used items near you
6) Add night lights in room and in hallway
7) Purchase a half bed rail
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Other Things You Can Do to Prevent Falls
1) Exercise regularly to improve your balance
2) Have your doctor check all your medications, some medication can make you feel dizzy
3) Get your vision checked once a year; poor vision can increase fall risk
4) Get up slowly after you are sitting or lying down
5) Wear shoes indoors or gripper socks
6) Improve the lighting all throughout your home, florescent bulbs are best
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Adapted from Check for Safety by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Home Safety Self Assessment Tool v. 3 by University of Buffalo