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3
Preventing Falls In Your Home
Based on the original version printed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Each year, thousands of older Americans fall at home.
Many of them are seriously injured, and some are
disabled. In 2002, more than 12,800 people over age
65 died and 1.6 million were treated in emergency
departments because of falls. Falls are often due to
hazards that are easy to overlook but easy to fix.
This checklist will help you find and fix those hazards
in your home. The checklist asks about hazards found
in each room of your home. For each hazard, the
checklist tells you how to fix the problem. At the end
of the checklist, you’ll find other tips for preventing falls.
Look at the STAIRS AND STEPS you use both
inside and outside your home.
Are there papers, shoes, books or other objects
on the stairs?
n Pick up things on the stairs. Always keep objects
off stairs.
Are some steps broken or uneven?
n Fix loose or uneven steps.
Are you missing a light over the stairway?
n Have an electrician put in an overhead light at the
top and bottom of the stairs.
Do you have only one light switch for your stairs
(only at the top or at the bottom of the stairs)?
n Have an electrician put in a light switch at the
top and bottom of the stairs. You can get light
switches that glow.
Has the stairway light bulb burned out?
n Have a friend or family member change the light bulb.
Is the carpet on the steps loose or torn?
n Make sure the carpet is firmly attached to every
step, or remove the carpet and attach non-slip
rubber treads to the stairs.
Are the handrails loose or broken? Is there
a handrail on only one side of the stairs?
n Fix loose handrails or put in new ones. Make
sure handrails are on both sides of the stairs
and are as long as the stairs.
Look at the FLOORS in each room.
When you walk through a room, do you have
to walk around furniture?
n
Ask someone to move the furniture so your
path is clear.
Do you have throw rugs on the floor?
n
Remove the rugs or use double-sided tape or
a non-slip backing so the rugs won’t slip.
Are there papers, books, towels, shoes, magazines,
boxes, blankets or other objects on the floor?
n
Pick up things that are on the floor. Always keep
objects off the floor.
Do you have to walk over or around wires or cords
(e.g., lamp, telephone or extension cords)?
n Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you
can’t trip over them. If needed, have an electrician
put in another outlet.
Look at your KITCHEN and eating area.
Are the things you use often on high shelves?
n Move items in your cabinets. Keep things you use
often on the lower shelves (about waist level).
Is your step stool unsteady?
n If you must use a step stool, get one with a bar
to hold onto. Never use a chair as a step stool.
Look at all your BATHROOMS.
Is the tub or shower floor slippery?
n Put a non–slip rubber mat or self–stick strips
on the floor of the tub or shower.
Do you need some support when you get in
and out of the tub or up from the toilet?
n Have a carpenter put grab bars inside the
tub and next to the toilet
Look at all your BEDROOMS.
Is the light near the bed hard to reach?
n Place a lamp close to the bed where it’s easy
to reach.
Is the path from your bed to the bathroom dark?
n Put in a night light so you can see where you’re
walking. Some night lights go on by themselves
after dark.
CDC. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/toolkit/
checklistforsafety.htm. Accessed: April 29, 2011.