Strategies for preventing falls and other accidents in your home

Accidents can happen anywhere, but they are especially common in the home. Falls, burns, cuts, and other accidents can be both painful and costly. Fortunately, there are many simple steps you can take to make your home a safer place. In this article, we will discuss some strategies for preventing falls and other accidents in your home.

Keep Your Home Clutter-Free

One of the most important steps you can take to prevent falls and other accidents in your home is to keep it clutter-free. Loose items on the floor, such as shoes, can cause someone to trip and fall. Keep your floors clear of clutter, and make sure that items are put away in their proper place. This is especially important when your residents have limited mobility or use assistive devices like wheelchairs and walkers. By keeping all areas clear of clutter, you can also help encourage and support independence.

Install Handrails and Grab Bars

Handrails and grab bars are an essential safety feature in any home. Install handrails on both sides of stairways and grab bars in bathrooms, particularly around the shower and toilet areas. Make sure that the handrails and grab bars are sturdy and can support the weight of an adult.

Improve Lighting

Inadequate lighting can be a major contributing factor to falls and other accidents in the home. Make sure that your home is well-lit, particularly in areas where people walk or climb stairs. Install bright light bulbs, and consider using motion-activated lights in areas such as hallways or stairways.

Secure Area Rugs

Area rugs can be a tripping hazard, particularly if they are not secured properly. Make sure that your area rugs are secured to the floor with double-sided tape or a rug pad.

Use Non-Slip Mats in the Bathroom

Slips and falls are particularly common in the bathroom. One way to reduce the risk of falling in the bathroom is to use non-slip mats. Place non-slip mats both inside and outside of the shower or bathtub, and in front of the sink and toilet. Additionally, make sure that these areas have enough space for residents to maneuver easily and safely. Tight spaces can reduce your residents ability to use their assistive devices properly.

Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are critical safety features in any home. Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, and in every bedroom. Install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas and in areas where fuel-burning appliances are located. Additionally, to assure that residents are prepared for any emergency evacuations, make sure that your team practices evacuations on a regular schedule. This will allow residents to become comfortable with the alerts, procedures and flow of emergency drills.  

Keep Medications out of Reach

Medications should be stored out of reach. Keep medications in a locked cabinet or in a location that is out of reach to prevent medication accidents and or misuse. Your home should have a structured way to keep track of medication access and a process for documenting each residents medication and procedure for disposing medication that is no longer prescribed.

Keep Emergency Numbers Handy

Make sure that emergency numbers, such as 911, are easily accessible in case of an emergency. Post emergency numbers near every phone in your home and keep a list of emergency numbers in a visible location. Assure that all members of your household know what to do in an emergency, who to contact and key evacuation meeting points. Additionally, it may be helpful to have assigned responsibilities for all staff, these should be practiced often.

Keep Your Home Well-Maintained

Regular maintenance is essential to keeping your home safe. Make sure that your home is well-maintained and address any issues as soon as they arise. Repair loose steps or handrails, fix leaky pipes, and replace worn carpeting or flooring.

In conclusion, falls and other accidents can happen anywhere, but they are particularly common in the home. Fortunately, there are many simple steps you can take to make your home a safer place. Keep your home clutter-free, install handrails and grab bars, improve lighting, secure area rugs, use non-slip mats in the bathroom, install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, keep medications out of reach, keep emergency contact information readily available, and regularly check and maintain appliances and electrical equipment.

By taking these simple precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries in your home. It is important to regularly assess your home environment and make necessary adjustments as you age or as your needs change. By being proactive about home safety, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that you have taken steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so don't wait until an accident happens to make your home a safer place.

References:

10 Ways to Prevent Falling at Home - https://www.everydayhealth.com/longevity/future-planning/prevent-falls-at-home.aspx

10 Tips to Help Make Your Home Fall-Proof and Hazard-Free - https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2021/fall-prevention-safety-tips.html

Fall prevention: Simple tips to prevent falls - https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358

Preventing Falls at Home: Room by Room - https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/preventing-falls-home-room-room

Fall-proof Your Home - https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/ss20220119-fall-proof-your-home

6 Falls Prevention Steps to Help Your Older Loved Ones - https://ncoa.org/article/6-falls-prevention-steps-to-help-your-older-loved-ones

Patient & Caregiver Resources - https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/patient.html