Falls are the leading cause of injury for seniors, but they can also be easy to prevent. To help keep yourself and your loved ones safe from injuries caused by falls at home, keep these important fall prevention tips in mind.
Make Sure Every Room Has Adequate Lighting
Dark rooms make it easy to trip over clutter on the ground or even an area rug or piece of furniture. Make sure all the rooms in your house, especially in dark areas like hallways and staircases, have enough lighting to avoid tripping and falling.
Utilize Non-Slip Mats
Place non-slip mats in high-risk areas for falls like inside the shower or tub and on the bathroom floor. If there are other areas in your home with tile or hardwood flooring that make it easy to slip and fall, use non-slip rugs to keep them from sliding out from under you.
One in four Americans aged 65 and older falls each year.
Repair Handrails and Outdoor Walkways
Handrails are an important safety feature along any staircase or walkway, but if they’re loose or damaged, they might not be able to support you in the event of a fall. Take a walk-through of your home and double-check that all handrails, both inside and outside, are tight and secure.
Place Frequently-Used Items within Reach
Store only those items that you rarely use in hard-to-reach places like above the refrigerator and in the back of a high cabinet. Items that you use everyday should be stored within easy reach so you don’t have to strain yourself to try to get to them.
Print out this handy fall prevention checklist and use it to inspect your home for possible hazards, or discuss it with an elderly family member in your care.
