A Checklist For Preventing Falls in Your Home. For more home safety tips and non-medical homecare services for seniors, visit www.brightstarcare.com/senior-non-medical-home-care.

1. Home Safety and
Fall Prevention Tips

2. Most people want to age in the comfort of their own
home. If you want to stay in your own home for as long as
possible these tips should help.

3. You certainly do not want to fall and risk an injury. Most
serious falls occur in and around the home.
Some simple precautions may help maintain your independence
and reduce your risk of falling at home.

4. A Checklist For Preventing Falls in
Your Home…

5. Stairways –
• Make sure all handrails are
are securely fastened.
• Both sides of the steps should
have handrails.
• Stairways should be evenly
and brightly lit.
http://spiralstairsss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Wooden-Stair-Railings.jpg

6. Floors and rugs -
• Make sure all floor are even and
free of clutter.
• Rugs, including area rugs, must be
secured to the floor with tacks, non-
skid pads or double-sided tape.
• Keep frequently traveled paths of
furniture as it may present a
tripping hazard.

7. Bathroom -
• Place non-slip strips in bath/
shower.
• Mount grab bars at the toilet,
bath and shower on walls with
secure reinforcements, to prevent
the bars from coming loose.
• Keep the floor dry and always
keep a phone handy.
http://www.evolutionwalker.com/newsImages/74-1.jpg

8. Kitchen -
• Items that you use frequently
should be easy to reach.
• Heavy items should be kept at
waste height.
• Always keep a fire extinguisher
handy and familiarize yourself
with use and safety instructions.
http://www.rtacabinetstore.com/customer-feedback/honey_maple_kitchen_cabinets2.jpg

9. Lighting -
• Place nightlights in hallways,
bedrooms, bathrooms, and stairways.
• Install light switches at the top and
bottom of stairs.
• Place a lamp and telephone, within
easy reach, near your bed.

10. Outside of your home -
• Repair holes, uneven joints on walkways.
• Stairs and walkways should be free of leaves, snow, and
ice. Use salt and/or sand throughout the winter months.
• Make sure outside lighting is working in entryways and
walkways. Use motion sensing lights to prevent waste.
• Check that handrails are securely fastened. Both sides of
steps should have handrails.

11. Resources -
• Many states and local communities have low or no-interest
loans, tax credits or other programs for home modifications for
those who are older or disabled.
• Many Area Agencies on Aging also offer a variety of services for
assessing the safety of your home and making the appropriate
modifications to prevent falls.
• To find out more about what’s available in your own community,
contact the key resources listed below.
http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/aging/index.asp – Middlesex County
Dept. of Aging
http://www.state.nj.us/health/senior/sa_aaa.shtml – Area Agencies
on Aging
http://www.state.nj.us/health/ – Dept. of Health and Senior Services

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