Fall Prevention Checklist for Your Home
Most falls happen at home and many can be prevented with small fixes. A room-by-room walk-through helps you spot the risks.
Step by step
- Start with floors. Remove loose rugs and cords.
- Improve lighting. Add night lights on the path to the bathroom.
- Add grab bars. In showers and next to toilets.
- Check stairs. Handrails on both sides and clear steps.
- Review shoes and medicines. Ask a pharmacist if any cause dizziness.
What to expect
Expect a practical list: lighting, floors, bathrooms, stairs, footwear and a review of medicines that cause dizziness.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not wait for a fall to act. Avoid climbing on chairs to reach high shelves. Do not ignore a pattern of near-falls.
A good next step
Ask your doctor about a balance or strength program and a home safety evaluation.
A prompt you can copy
Create a room-by-room checklist to reduce fall risks in a two-story home for an older adult, with low-cost fixes and an estimated priority for each.
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Reserve a free seatCommon questions
Who can help install grab bars?
A handyman, a local aging services agency or a volunteer program.
Is exercise useful?
Many balance and strength programs reduce falls. Ask your doctor.