In today’s post, I wanted to present something that can be implemented immediately in anyone’s home. Here are some of the most important safety tips that can help you and those you love stay safe and prevent falls. While they are presented in no particular order, I think that you will find them helpful.
Indoor Safety Tips
We spend so much of our time indoors in the living areas of our homes. Here are a few ideas that can help us be safe on a daily basis:
- Place items you use most often within easy reach. This keeps you from having to do a lot of bending and stooping.
- Use assistive devices to help avoid strain or injury. For example, use a long-handled grasping device to pick up items without bending or reaching. Use a pushcart to move heavy or hot items from the stove or countertop to the table.
- If you must use a step stool, use a sturdy one with a hand rail and wide steps.
- If you live alone, consider wearing a personal emergency response system (PERS). Also consider having a cordless telephone or cell phone to take from room to room so you can call for help if you fall and cannot get up.
Safety Tips for Floor Space
A significant cause of falls come from obstructions on the floor or slippery floors. Please take these steps so that you don’t fall victim:
- Remove all loose wires, cords, and throw rugs.
- Keep floors free of clutter.
- Be sure all carpets and area rugs have skid-proof backing or are tacked to the floor.
- Do not use slippery wax on bare floors.
- Keep furniture in its usual place.
Kitchen Safety
Kitchens are an area of the home where we spend a lot of our time – and almost always on our feet. Naturally, this creates a risk for falls. Two simple steps that you can take to reduce that risk are below:
- Use non-skid mats or rugs on the floor near the stove and sink.
- Clean up spills as soon as they happen (in the kitchen and anywhere in the home).
Keeping Your Bathroom Safe
When water is added to the equation, it is obvious to see why we can be at an increased risk of falls. Here are a couple of things that we all should do to help reduce that risk:
- Install grab bars on the bathroom walls beside the tub, shower, and toilet.
- Use a non-skid rubber mat in the shower or tub.
- If you are unsteady on your feet, you may want to use a plastic chair with a back and non-skid legs on the shower or tub and use a handheld showered to bathe.
Safety in the Bedroom
While we spend a lot of our time in our bedrooms, most of that time is safely lying in bed. The risk of falls presents itself when we transition from sitting or lying down to standing, and this is often compounded by the darkness of the room. The steps to correct these are so simple that we often ignore them.
- Place light switches within reach of your bed and a night light between the bedroom and bathroom.
- Get up slowly from sitting or lying down since this may cause dizziness.
- Keep a flashlight with fresh batteries beside your bed.
Safe Stairways
Stairwells present one of the most hazardous areas for many of us, both young and old. As our balance diminishes, they become increasingly dangerous. While many individuals choose to relocate to a home without stairs in their golden years, many of us have cherished memories in a home that we just don’t want to leave and others are not able to move. The good news is that there are a few simple steps that we can take to reduce the risk of falling on stairs.
- Keep stairwells well lit, with light switches at the top and the bottom.
- Install sturdy handrails on both sides.
- Mark the top and bottom steps with bright tape.
- Make sure the carpet is secure.
Outdoor Safety Tips
As you are living an active lifestyle, it will certainly include participating in outdoor activities and traveling. The tips below can enable you to do so in safety.
- Wear low-heeled shoes with rubber soles for more solid footing, traction, and wear warm boots in the winter
- Use handrails as you go up and down steps and when using an escalator
- If sidewalks look slippery, walk in the grass for more solid footing
- In winter, carry a small bag of rock salt, kosher salt, or kitty litter in your pocket or car. You can then sprinkle the salt or kitty litter on sidewalks or streets that are slippery.
- Look carefully at floor surfaces in public buildings. Floors made of highly polished marble or tile can be very slippery. When these surfaces are wet, they may become dangerous. When floors have plastic or carpet runners in place, stay on them whenever possible.
- Keep your porch, deck, walkways and driveway free of leaves, snow, trash, or clutter. Also keep them in good repair. Cover porch steps with a gritty, weather-proof paint and install handrails on both sides.
- Turn on the light outside your front door before leaving your home in the early evening so that you have outdoor light when you return after dark.
- Keep a small flashlight with you in case you encounter an area that is poorly lighted.
- Use a shoulder bag, fanny pack, or a backpack purse to leave your hands free.
- Use a walker or cane as needed.
- Find out about community services that can provide help, such as 24-hour pharmacies and grocery stores that take orders by phone or internet and deliver, especially in poor weather.
- Stop at curbs and check the height before stepping up or down. Be careful at curbs that have been cut away to allow access for bikes or wheelchairs. The incline may lead to a fall.
- Consider wearing hip protectors or hip pads for added protection should you fall.
Lifestyle and diet
In addition to indoor and outdoor hazards, certain lifestyle behaviors can make a person more likely to fall. Here are some lifestyle tips to help you:
- Be careful about drinking alcohol. Alcohol slows reflexes and may cause confusion, dizziness or disorientation. Too much alcohol can also cause bone loss.
- If you are in a hurry, slow down. Accidents are more likely to happen when you rush.
- Stay alert and focused when in public places.
- Remember to wear appropriate shoes both indoors and out.
What more can I do?
Great – you have taken some important steps to reduce the risk of falls around your home and in your daily activities! But you may be asking yourself, “What more can I do?” Perhaps making the above changes just doesn’t feel like enough.
The good news is that there is more that you can do.
In addition to taking the above steps, please join us on the journey to increased balance by participating in a proven exercise program that will increase your strength, power, flexibility, and balance. You can find out more by clicking on the button below.
Not sure if you are at risk of falls? Take our free balance-killer quiz to find out!
