"Free Home Safety Checklist"

Simple Things That Anyone Can Do To Reduce Injuries Around The Home

There are several major causes of falls in and around the home:

• The use of certain medications
• slow reflexes
• poor eyesight
• problems with balance

Hazardous situations in the home such as:

• Slippery Floors
• Inadequate Lighting
• Electrical Cords in pathways
• Loose Rugs
• Raised Thresholds
• Clutter

The following fall prevention checklist is designed to help you - or a loved one - from falling in the home.

___ Have a lamp/light switch that you can easily reach in bed.

___ Use nightlights in the bedroom, bathroom and hallways.

___ Keep A flashlight handy

___ Have light switches at both ends of stairs and halls.

___ Install handrails on both sides of stairs.

___ Turn on the lights when you go into dark rooms.

___ Add grab bars in shower, tub and toilet areas.

___ Use bath mats with suction cups.

___ Use non-slip adhesive strips or mat in shower or tub

___ Consider sitting on a bench or stool in the shower

___ Consider using an elevated toilet seat.

___ Wear only non-slip, low heeled shoes or slippers that fit snugly.

___ Don't walk around the house in stocking feet.

___ Remove all extraneous clutter in house.

___ Keep telephone and electrical cords out of pathways.

___ Tack rugs and glue vinyl flooring so they lie flat.

___  Remove/replace rugs or runners that tend to slip, attach non-slip backing.

___ Make certain that carpets are firmly attached to the stairs.

___ Use helping devices such as canes or walkers when necessary.

___ Purchase a step stool with high, sturdy rails. Repair or discard wobbly step stools. Do not stand on a chair to reach things. Store frequently used objects where you can reach them easily.

___ Paint outside stairs with a mixture of sand and paint for better traction. Keep outdoor walkways clear and well-lighted.

___ Keep snow and ice cleared from entrances and sidewalks.

___ Review medications with your doctor or pharmacist. Some drugs, including over-the-counter drugs, can make you drowsy, dizzy and unsteady.

___ Watch your alcohol intake. More than two drinks per day can cause unsteadiness.

___ Have your hearing and eyesight tested. Inner ear problems can affect balance. Vision problems make it difficult to see potential hazards.

___ Exercise regularly to improve muscle flexibility and strength.

___ If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, sit down or stay seated until your head clears. Stand up slowly to avoid unsteadiness.

Other Fall Prevention Resources

• 2007 Directory of Accessible Building Products: Created by the NAHB Research Center and ToolBase Services, this extensive booklet contines information about general home modification guidelines as well as a wide range of products available for home modification. (large PDF file)
• A Tool Kit To Prevent Senior Falls: Fact sheets, graphs, and brochures about falls and fall prevention for older adults designed for fall prevention programs.
• Catch Yourself: Simple Steps to Prevent Falls: One-sheet document (PDF) that outlines steps to help you "catch yourself" by reducing the risk of falling. (PDF)
• Fall Prevention At Home: Brochure to help you prevent falls at home by offering some things that can be done to lower the risk for falls. (PDF)
• Fall Prevention Home Safety Checklist: Checklist to identify potential hazards in the home that may increase the risk of falls. (PDF)
• Falls and Balance Problems: Answers to common questions about falls and recommended sources for help. (PDF)
• Home Modification: An introduction to some everyday situations that pose risks for falls, along with possible solutions. (PDF)
• Remembering When: Fire and Fall Prevention for Older Adults (Spanish Version) (PPT)
• Safe Steps to Reduce Falls: Home safety walk-through list provided by the Home Safety Council to help identify and correct potential slips and falls hazards. (PDF)
• “Stay Safe”: Illustration showing 14 dangerous household problems that could lead to falls.
• “You Can Prevent Falls” – Fact Sheets: Fact sheets to help assess fall prevention including improving your health, having a safe home and lifestyle and reducing the risks.
• Don't Fall For it. Falls Can be Prevented!: This booklet was developed by Stay On Your Feet - Adelaide West and National Ageing Research Institute, for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, in 2004. The booklet is aimed at community dwelling older people and their families and carers. (PDF)

Websites

• Aging in Stride: "10 Myths and Facts About Falls" from Aging in Stride's Bi-Monthly e-Newsletter.
• Falls in the Home: This site offers a list of articles and resources about falls in the home.
• “Go For It!: A Guide to Choosing and Using Assistive Devices: A thorough and useful document designed to encourage seniors to explore all the assistive devices at their disposal.
• National Directory of Home Modification and Repair Programs: Information and comments on home modification activity nationwide with the ability to find information from the state of your choice.
• “The Safe Living Guide: A Guide to Home Safety for Seniors” : Guide to keeping the home and yourself safe, including nutrition checklist, medication safety checklist and more. (PDF)
• National Resource Center for Safe Aging: This website contains a wealth of falls-related information for public health professionals, with links to many other useful sites.
• www.homemods.org: This site offering information about home modifications and how to promote independence and prevent accidents in the home.

Articles

• Utilization of a Screening Tool to Identify Homebound Older Adults at Risk for Falls: Validity and Reliability - This report from Home Health Care Services Quarterly examins the reliability and validity of a Falls Risk Assessment (FRA) tool developed to identify risk factors associated with falls in homebound older adults. (PDF)
• Eldercare at Home: A resource for families and friends who are caring for older people at home from the American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging.
• Falls: General Information: Answers many common questions about falls and fall prevention.
• Preventing Falls One Step At A Time: Article suggesting that both improving balance through exercise and employing “fall-proofing” behaviors in and around the home will help to avoid falls and reduce risks for falls.
• Preventing the Fall: Designs on Building Safe Homes For The Elderly: This excerpt from an article by the same name, lists options for fall prevention home modifications.
• Safe Steps to Reduce Falls: Home safety walk-through list provided by the Home Safety Council to help identify and correct potential slips and falls hazards.
• The Basics on Fall-Proofing Your Home: Article outlining the basic steps to fall-proofing the home.
• What Causes Falls In the Elderly? How Can I Prevent A Fall?: An article describing the cause of falls and way to help prevent them.

Other

• Bruno and Alice: A Love Story in Twelve Parts About Seniors and Safety: A series of twelve illustrated stories following the whimsical romance of two active seniors who, through lack of prevention, end up in awkward situations and almost miss their rendezvous with love. The stories offer insight into some of the personal preventive measures seniors can take to make their environment safer and prevent injuries.

*AARP® Product Report: Linear Medical Alarm Equipment Ranked #1 -- PERS (Personal Emergency Response Systems / Medical Alarms and Medical Alert Alarm Systems) was produced by the American Association of Retired Persons as an educational service to members and other older persons. April 1992 No.1 Vol.2

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