There’s something about the change of seasons in general and fall in particular that can inspire a fresh sense of resolve. If you’ve been meaning to safety-proof your home, now is a great time.
Falls Prevention Awareness Month each September also reminds us the importance of identifying and addressing risk factors. Before shorter days, wet leaves, snow and ice make everyday movement more difficult, take an assessment and identify ways you can make your spaces safer.
A fall home safety checklist can help you identify hazards before winter. Simple updates can reduce the risk for environmental falls.
At ThedaCare At Home Medical Equipment, we help individuals and families explore equipment that supports safer, more comfortable movement at home. Use this checklist to identify areas that may need attention. Contact our team if you have questions about bathroom safety equipment, stair lifts, mobility aids or other home medical products.
Fall Home Safety Checklist
1. Improve Lighting as Daylight Decreases
A familiar hallway can become harder to navigate when the lighting is dim and days become shorter. Hazards on the floor are also easier to miss when shadows cover part of the walking path.
Walk through your home during the evening and look for areas where you have difficulty seeing the floor clearly. Pay particular attention to:
- Routes between the bedroom and bathroom
- Hallways and room entrances
- Tops and bottoms of stairways
- Entry doors and porches
- Areas where flooring changes
- Light switches that are difficult to reach
Replace burned-out bulbs, add lamps where overhead lighting is limited, and consider plug-in or motion-activated night lights along frequently used routes. Keep light switches accessible rather than blocked by furniture.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) also recommends good lighting at the top and bottom of stairs, night lights between bedrooms and bathrooms, and flashlights that are easy to reach during a power outage.
2. Clear Hallways and Frequently Used Walking Paths
Small items tend to gather in the same places: shoes near the door, a laundry basket in the hallway or a charging cord beside a chair. These objects can become harder to step around when your balance, vision, strength or mobility changes.
To reduce risk, ensure that:
- Shoes, baskets, pet items and packages are out of the walking path
- Electrical cords run along walls rather than across the floor
- Furniture leaves enough room for comfortable movement
- Doorways are wide enough for any cane, walker or caregiver assistance
- Frequently used items are within easy reach
- Blankets, bedding and clothing don’t trail onto the floor
In addition, avoid carrying so much that you can’t see the floor or use a handrail. If you use a walker or rollator, a compatible basket or bag may help you move small items while keeping your hands available to control the device.
3. Address Bathroom Hazards
Bathrooms combine water, smooth surfaces and maneuvers that can become challenging. Think stepping over a tub wall, lowering onto a toilet and standing while bathing.
Start with the floor. Clean up water promptly, keep frequently used supplies within reach, and use nonslip products designed for the surface. Skip bathroom rugs or choose ones with secure nonslip backing.
Depending on the bathroom and the person using it, helpful equipment may include:
- Properly installed grab bars near the toilet, tub or shower
- Shower chair or bath bench for seated bathing
- Transfer bench for moving across a tub edge
- Toilet seat riser or toilet safety frame
- Nonslip mats or strips made for wet surfaces
- Handheld showerhead that can be used while seated
Don’t use a towel bar as a grab bar. Any product intended to support body weight should be designed for that purpose and installed according to its instructions.
ThedaCare At Home carries bathroom safety equipment, including grab bars, shower chairs, transfer benches, toilet seat risers, commodes and toilet safety frames.
4. Check Loose Rugs, Carpets and Flooring
A rug edge that curls upward or carpeting that has come loose near a doorway can catch a foot and lead to trips and falls. Flooring transitions, worn carpet and uneven surfaces also deserve attention.
The NIA recommends removing throw rugs and small area rugs and making sure carpeting is firmly attached to the floor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises using double-sided tape or nonslip backing so rugs don’t slide.
As you inspect your floors:
- Remove throw rugs that slide, curl or bunch
- Secure rugs that remain with an appropriate nonslip backing
- Check carpet for loose edges, wrinkles, tears or bubbles
- Inspect transitions between rooms for raised or damaged strips
- Keep smooth flooring dry and free of spills
- Avoid walking in socks or footwear with smooth soles on slippery floors
If you can’t safely move furniture, repair flooring or replace a bulb on your own, ask a family member or qualified professional for help.
5. Inspect Stairs, Handrails and Stairway Lighting
Stairs can become more difficult when pain, balance, strength, vision or endurance become issues. The staircase itself also may easy-to-miss have hazards.
Check your indoor and outdoor stairs for:
- Loose, uneven or damaged steps
- Items stored on the stairs
- Loose or torn carpeting
- Poor lighting or burned-out bulbs
- Missing, loose or damaged handrails
- Limited visibility at the top and bottom
- Objects that block your view while carrying them
The NIA recommends secure handrails on both sides of stairways, clear steps and light switches at the top and bottom of staircases.
If the staircase remains difficult after addressing basic hazards, a stair lift may be worth exploring. A stair lift reduces the need to physically climb each step, but it isn’t automatically the right solution for every person or home. The experts at ThedaCare At Home can help you determine what’s right for you and your home.
6. Prepare Entrances for Fall and Winter Weather
Seasonal hazards often begin at the doorway. Wet leaves can make outdoor steps slick, less daylight can reduce visibility, and tracked-in water can make indoor entryways slippery. Once winter arrives, snow and ice can add another challenge.
Before colder weather settles in:
- Clear leaves and debris from porches, steps and walkways
- Repair uneven or damaged outdoor steps
- Check outdoor handrails for movement or damage
- Make sure porch and entry lights work
- Use nonslip mats that lie flat and don’t slide
- Keep indoor entryway floors dry
- Store snow-removal and ice-control supplies where safely and easily reachable
- Arrange for help with shoveling or ice removal if needed
The NIA recommends repairing damaged entrance steps, adding nonslip material to outdoor stairways, clearing debris, maintaining access to railings and treating winter walkways with an appropriate ice-control product or sand.
Avoid carrying packages or bags in a way that blocks your view of the steps. If an entrance becomes icy or difficult to use, wait for help or use another accessible entrance rather than taking an unnecessary risk.
Get Expert Assistance
This checklist can help you get started on your own, but sometimes an expert assist can make all the difference. Stop at any ThedaCare At Home location for personalized assistance and recommendations. The ThedaCare At Home team wishes you a safe, healthy fall and winter!
