Home Safety for Seniors

6 min read

Most serious injuries in older adults happen at home — and most are entirely preventable. A single afternoon spent walking through the house with fresh eyes can save a hospital admission, a fracture, or worse. Use this room-by-room guide as your checklist.

Entrance and outside areas

A sturdy handrail on every step up to the door
Non-slip surfaces on outdoor paths and stairs
Bright motion-sensor lighting at the entrance
A weatherproof, well-lit house number visible from the street
A clear, tidy path with no plant pots or hoses to trip over

Living room hazards

Remove loose rugs, or secure them with non-slip pads
Tape down or reroute any trailing electrical cables
Choose a firm chair with armrests that's easy to stand up from
Keep walkways clear of coffee tables, footstools and clutter
Ensure lamps are within easy reach without stretching

Kitchen safety

Store daily-use items between waist and shoulder height
Use a kettle with an auto shut-off — never an old whistle-only kettle
Keep a small fire blanket within reach of the stove
Consider an automatic stove shut-off for anyone with memory changes
Wipe up spills immediately, and use non-slip mats in front of the sink

Bathroom safety — the highest-risk room

More falls happen in the bathroom than anywhere else. Small changes here have the biggest impact.

Install grab rails beside the toilet and inside the shower
Use a non-slip mat in the shower and beside the bath
Add a shower chair to reduce standing time
Set the water heater to a safe maximum to prevent scalding
Keep a nightlight on all night, every night

Bedroom safety

A lamp within arm's reach of the bed
A phone or emergency device on the bedside table
A clear, unobstructed path from bed to bathroom
Firm bedside furniture to steady on when getting up
A bed at the right height — feet flat on the floor when sitting

Stair safety

Handrails on both sides of the stairs, top to bottom
Bright lighting with switches at both ends
Non-slip treads or a securely fixed carpet
Contrasting tape on the edge of each step for depth perception
Never leave shoes, laundry or items on the stairs 'to take up later'

Lighting throughout the home

Ageing eyes need three to four times more light than younger ones. Bright, glare-free lighting is one of the cheapest and most effective safety upgrades you can make.