Fall-proof your home
Half of all falls occur in the home or around the home. Trip hazards are everywhere, but we either don’t recognise them, or think of them as trivial and don’t bother fixing them. Here are some things you can do.1
| AREA OF YOUR HOME |
WHAT CAN I DO? |
| Around the house |
- Place items you use most often within easy reach
|
| Floors |
- Remove objects you could trip over such as throw rugs, electrical cords and general clutter — Create clear walking paths by moving furniture out of the way (ask someone to help with this)
|
| Bathrooms |
- Place non-slip mats in wet areas like the shower, bath and toilet — Install handrails in areas where you may need extra help moving in and out of the space — Consider a chair in the shower for extra stability
|
| Kitchen |
- Use non-slip mats near the stove and the kitchen sink — Clean up spills as soon as they happen — Keep every day items, like tea cups, within easy reach
|
| Stairs |
- Check that stairwells are well lit, it’s a good idea to have light switches at both the top and bottom of the stairs — Install sturdy handrails on both sides
|
| Bedroom |
- Put a night light between your bedroom and bathroom so you can safely move during the night
|
