According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the top cause of injury among older adults, and many risk factors, such as tripping hazards, are in the home. Fortunately, most at-home falls are easily preventable with a little planning and decluttering. Here’s a room-by-room rundown of quick and easy steps to take to prevent falls.
Bathroom: Many falls occur in the bathroom, so this is a good place to start.
- Put non-slip rubber mats or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower
- Consider installing grab bars for support getting in or out of the tub or shower
Bedroom: Moving about in the darkness is often the cause of a fall in the bedroom. Accessible lighting is the key to bedroom safety.
- Use bright light bulbs
- Place lamps close to the bed where they are within reach
- Put in night lights to be able to see a path in the dark. For areas that don’t have electrical outlets, consider battery-operated lights.
Kitchen: Determining your most-used kitchen essentials is the best way to prevent a fall in the kitchen.
- Put frequently used items within easy reach, about waist level
- Consider using a step stool or asking a friend to help with hard-to-reach items — do not use a chair
Floors and Common Spaces: Simple decluttering goes a long way in these spaces.
- Keep objects off the floor and out of high-traffic areas
- Remove unnecessary rugs or tape them down
- Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall and out of the way
- Arrange furniture in a way that keeps your space as open as possible
Stairs and Steps (both indoor and outdoor): It’s easy for anyone to trip and fall on the stairs. Most fall precautions for this area of the home comes down to simple home maintenance.
- Check for loose or uneven steps and repair if needed
- Make sure carpet is firmly attached, or remove carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads
- Check for loose or broken handrails. Repair if needed.
- Consider installing handrails on both sides of the stairs
- Use bright overhead lighting at the top and bottom of stairs
- Consider putting light switches at both the top and bottom of stairs
- Slow down and watch where you walk
For more fall prevention tips, visit bluecrossmn.com/thrive.