A room-by-room checklist for a home that is safer against falls

Most falls of older adults happen at home, on an ordinary day, in a room they know well. The good news is that many of the risks are easy to see and cheap to fix. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes a simple home checklist; this is a short version of it.

Floors

• Move furniture so the way through each room is clear.
• Remove small throw rugs, or fix them with double-sided tape or a non-slip backing.
• Keep cables, papers, shoes and boxes off the floor.

Stairs and steps

• Make sure there is a light switch at the top and at the bottom of the stairs.
• Fix loose or uneven steps and loose carpet.
• Have handrails on both sides, the full length of the stairs.

Kitchen

• Keep the things you use most on the lower shelves, about waist height.
• If you must reach high, use a steady step stool with a bar to hold, never a chair.

Bathroom

• Put a non-slip mat in the tub or shower and on the floor next to it.
• Grab bars next to the toilet and in the tub or shower help you sit down and stand up.

Bedroom

• Keep a lamp within reach of the bed, easy to switch on.
• Use night lights on the way from the bedroom to the bathroom.

And you

Regular exercise that improves strength and balance, a yearly eye check, a review of your medicines with your doctor or pharmacist, and well-fitting shoes with thin, firm soles are the other parts of the CDC's advice.

Source: CDC, STEADI, «Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults» (cdc.gov/steadi). This article is general information, not medical advice.