Most of us consider our homes to be a safe place. However, the home is also where many injuries occur – most of these being falls. There are lots of simplethings you can do to reduce the risk of falling in your home. Some suggestionsto make your home a safer place to live are:
• remove clutter and clean up spills when they happen
• remove scattered rugs or tape edges down using duct tape
• secure electrical cords close to the wall to avoid tripping
• make sure there is adequate space to maneuver between pieces of furniture to avoid having to turn sideways
• wear footwear such as anti-slip slippers or proper fitting shoes
Tips in the bathroom:
• use a non-skid mat inside and outside the bathtub or shower stall and toilet
• ensure grab bars in bathtub are installed by a professional
• ensure you have a well-lit path from your bedroom to the bathroom
Tips for the stairs:
• keep stairs well lit and free of clutter
• if possible install solid handrails on both sides of the staircase
Tips for outside the home:
• keep front steps and walkways in good repair and free of snow, ice, leaves etc.
• make sure the front steps and walkway are well lit
