Because anyone can have a bad fall, the following suggestions are worth considering regardless of your age.- If you need glasses, wear them, but never walk around with glasses on that are meant only for reading. Take them off before moving around.
- Use a walking stick or cane if you are even slightly unsteady on your feet. Do not hesitate to use a walker or support frame outdoors, as well as in the house, if you feel safer or your physician recommends one.
- Wear well-fitted shoes with low heels or slippers with non-slip soles. Avoid long shoelaces that can easily come undone and trip you.
- Make sure carpets and other floor covering are secured around the edges. Never use loose mats and rugs on shiny, polished floors.
- Illuminate potentially hazardous areas such as stairs. White or very light-colored paint on either side of a flight of stairs can help.
- Strong banisters running along all indoor and outdoor steps are essential. One should be installed wherever such a support is not already in place or use an alternate route.
- Have a bedside lamp or low-wattage night light in your bedroom so that you never have to grope around in the dark when getting out of bed at night. Power-outage lights that come on automatically come in handy when the power fails.
- Fit secure handrails in convenient places near the bathtub and toilet and use non-slip mats both inside and alongside every bath or shower.
- Minimize floor clutter in rooms and eliminate anything on or near stairways. Children's toys can be especially hazardous.
- Secure electrical appliance cords to moldings or walls whenever possible. Do not let them run loosely across the floor.
- Store frequently-used clothing and other items in places you can reach without standing on a stool or chair. If you must climb up to get something, use a stable stepladder or sturdy chair. Better still, get someone to do the reaching for you.
- Use a broomstick or long dowel to test your smoke detectors.
Fall Hazards Checklist
Bathroom
| Door threshold is not too high | |
| Skid-proof mats or strips in tub or shower | |
| Toilet and tub grab bars securely fastened where needed | |
| Toilet height is correct |
Bedrooms
| Bed height is appropriate | |
| Nightlights and/or bedside light available for safe movement | |
| Pathway from bedroom to bathroom unobstructed | |
| Bed mattresses provide good support while sitting on edge | |
| Floors are non-slip and clutter-free | |
| Commonly used items on closet shelves can be reached easily |
Kitchen
| Floor is not slippery | |
| Storage areas are easily reached | |
| Chairs are wheel-free and at the right height for sitting down and rising from easily | |
| Step stools are sturdy and treads are slip-resistant |
General Interior
| Light switches are accessible when entering room | |
| Lights are bright enough | |
| Stairways are adequately lighted | |
| Stair handrails are securely installed | |
| Telephones are accessible in order to call for assistance | |
| Furniture is secure enough to provide support if leaned upon |
Exterior
| Step surfaces are non-slip | |
| Step edges are visually marked to avoid tripping | |
| Steps are in good repair | |
| Walkways are slip- and trip-free | |
| Outdoor light is sufficient for nighttime activities |
