At-home safety is not something that should be taken for granted. Homes in the Lehigh Valley may contain hazards under normal circumstances, but when a resident has mobility challenges, there are many situations that may need examination that we don’t often think about.
Because the experts at Power Stair Lifts are especially comfort- and safety-conscious, we are offering the following Home Safety Checklist for your convenience.
Bathroom
- Make sure the shower or tub has a non-slip mat.
- Remove any loose rugs that can cause a person to trip.
- Make sure the floor is completely dry to prevent slipping on wet floors. Consider installing washable wall-to-wall carpeting.
- Install a raised toilet seat with handrails to make it easier to get up and down.
- Put grab bars inside the tub and shower and next to the toilet to prevent falls.
- Install a foam rubber faucet over the bathtub to prevent injuries if a person does fall.
- Use a shower chair or bench for sitting up and a handheld shower wand to make bathing easier and safer.
- Consider a walk-in tub with safety features like extra-wide doors, low step-in capability, and slip resistance.
- A bidet toilet seat is great for older adults who have trouble cleaning themselves.
- Keep an automatic night light in the bathroom so you are never in darkness.
Floors
- Liquid and other slippery substances on your floors pose a considerable fall risk. If you cannot clean up a wet area completely, mark it with a cone or other item to alert others.
- Rugs should be secured. Curled and torn edges are a safety and tripping hazard.
- Reduce clutter so you do not have to maneuver around objects and risk losing your balance.
Stairs and Steps
- Consider installing stair lifts and ramps where feasible. This will allow you to move around your home safely.
- Handrails should be on both sides.
- Treads should be deep enough for older adults to place their whole foot on them.
- Adequate lighting and switches should be installed at both top and bottom.
- If you have wood or tile steps, consider installing rubber treads to help prevent falls.
- Remove loose runners and rugs at the top and bottom of the stairs that may cause someone to trip.
Kitchen
- Keep it well-lit, even at night, in case someone wanders in. Automatic night lights or motion detection lights ensure they’re never in the dark.
- Remove loose rugs to prevent tripping.
- Make items easily accessible. Avoid the need for step stools and ladders to reach cooking and eating utensils.
- Put a water-absorbant, non-skid mat in front of the kitchen sink to prevent falls.
- Find sturdy kitchen chairs with arms that older adults can use to sit and get up safely.
- Slip-proof flooring is safer than shiny floors.
- Wipe up spills immediately.
Bedroom
- Consider installing portable guardrails between the mattress and box spring.
- If using a hospital bed, be sure the use the rails and lock wheels for safety.
- Install a monitoring device by the bed so you’ll be alerted to any problems.
- Provide automatic night lights and motion-detector lights so you can see when going to the bathroom.
- Place a small table lamp within easy reach on each side of the bed.
- Make sure the bed is the right height. They should be able to place their feet firmly on the floor when sitting on the edge of the mattress.
- Remove any throw rugs that a person might trip over.
- Replace torn or frayed carpeting.
- Keep electrical cords away from walkways.
- Clear out any furniture or decor that may make it difficult for an elderly person to move around.
Living Areas
- Just as you did in the other rooms, keep electrical cords, throw rugs, and furniture away from walkways. Also, replace any torn or frayed carpeting.
- Place decals on picture windows and sliding glass doors so older individuals can easily identify them as glass.
- Remove low-style coffee tables, which can be hard to see and easy to trip over.
- Do not use step stools or ladders. Ask for help. Many fire departments will come out to change the batteries in smoke detectors.
- Medical alert devices can be lifesavers. Some come with apps that allow caregivers to monitor daily activities and their location.
Please read our mission statement to learn why Power Stair Lifts can be trusted to meet your needs and circumstances.
