Fall Prevention

In bedrooms:

• Have a light available close to the bed so you can easily reach it in the middle of the night. Darkness and reduced vision increase risk of falls. Keep all areas of your home well-lit and replace bulbs quickly when they die.
• Put nightlights in bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms to illuminate your path.
• Keep a flashlight by your bed in case of power failure; check batteries regularly to make sure they work.
• Keep a telephone and emergency phone numbers near your bed.
• When you do get out of bed, do so in a controlled, careful manner. Sitting up or standing too fast can make us light-headed and dizzy, which can increase falls.

In bathrooms:

• Showers are wet and therefore slippery and can impair our balance. Install grab bars in the shower. Consider getting a shower chair and a hand-held shower head to make bathing yourself safer. Try to shower when another person is home in case you need assistance
• Place non-skid mats on surfaces that can be slippery, including the shower and bathroom floors
• Install a grab bar by the toilet to help you sit/stand. Do not use a towel rack to assist you in getting to a standing position from the toilet…they are not strong enough to support a person’s weight

In hallways and pathways:

• Have a sturdy handrail on all staircases, even if it is just 2 or 3 steps, and hold on securely every time you use the stairs. We can lose balance at any time and falling down even one stair can cause serious injury
• Make sure there is good lighting in stairways, preferably with a light switch available both at the top and bottom of the staircase and remember to turn the lights on every time you use the stairs!
• Keep items off stairways that can pose a tripping hazard. Eliminate carpeting that isn’t securely adhered to the stairs. No-slip carpet strips can be purchased at hardware stores to affix to wooden or tile floors
• Don’t carry too much going up and down stairs. Don’t carry objects that can obstruct your view, or that may be too heavy. It’s better to make a second trip than to have a trip!

General home recommendations:

• Keep a clear path for egress in all rooms and halls. You need to have a clear, visible walkway to reduce trips and falls. Try to arrange the furniture in such a way that it does not obstruct or impede your way while walking around the house.
• Make sure any electrical or telephone cords are against walls or otherwise out of the way as these pose a major tripping hazard
• Make sure any furniture you sit on (chairs and sofas) are of the right height and sturdiness that you can easily get into/out of them. Furniture with armrests are best, and electronic lift chairs can be purchased from furniture stores.
• Don’t walk on floors that are freshly washed and clean spills right away. Wet areas are slippery!
• If you have a cat or dog, be aware of where they are when you are walking…they love to be near us but can also get in our way!
• If you are trying to reach something that is up high, use a sturdy stepstool or reaching stick (grabber). Never stand on a chair or any other furniture that is not meant for that purpose
• Wear sensible footwear! Socks can be slippery, and non-slip socks are easily available. Don’t wear flip flops, high heels, or shoes with slick soles. Don’t wear pants or skirts that are too long and can easily trip you.