Fall Prevention and Personal Safety Tips

Falls in the home are one of the most common causes for people having to leave their homes.  Here are a few tips and modifications to make your home safer, more convenient, and fall-proof:

• Arrange furniture so it doesn’t block walkways
• Be sure that sofas and chairs are high enough for easy transfer
• Keep floors  free of clutter
• Coil or tape down cords and wires close to the wall; put in another outlet if needed
• In a multi-level home, explore making your first floor live-in ready
• Remove throw rugs or use non-slip backing
• Reduce and avoid shiny surfaces
• Install handrails on both sides of the stairwell
• Install an overhead light with glow-in-the-dark light switches  at the top and bottom of stairs
• Attach non-skid rubber treads to non-carpeted stairs
• Place night lights in hallways and bathrooms
• Keep lighting levels the same throughout your home – high contrast can increase fall risk
• Post emergency contacts in a visible location and ensure that your phones are easily accessible
• If you must use a step stool in the kitchen, get one with a bar to hold on to
• Keep a fire extinguisher by the stove

Bathroom

• Place a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips in the tub or shower and on the floor
• Set your hot water heater at 120 degrees or lower
• Install grab bars inside the tub/shower and next to the toilet
• Install a handheld shower, elevated toilet seat, shower chair or tub transfer bench as needed

Medications

• Share your current medication list with doctors and pharmacist to avoid potential side effects that could lead to a fall
• Store medications in their original container
• Use a medication pillbox
• When possible, fill all medications through the same pharmacy
• Check expiration dates of all medications periodically

Personal Safety

• Have an emergency plan for fire, break-in, etc.
• Consider an emergency alert button
• Create a first aid kit that’s available, accessible, and current
• Install and regularly check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Keep flashlights available and working
• Store hazardous materials safely

For more tips or help fall-proofing your home, contact SCI’s professional care managers at (912) 236-0363 or visit www.seniorcitizens-inc.org