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CheckforSafetyThis checklist was produced with supportfrom the MetLife Foundation.Centers for DiseaseControl and PreventionNational Center for InjuryPrevention and ControlFor more information, contact:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1(800) CDC-INFO (232-4636)www.cdc.gov/steadiCS259944B2015PA Home FallPreventionChecklist forOlder Adults
FALLS AT HOMEEach year, thousands of olderAmericans fall at home. Many ofthem are seriously injured, andsome are disabled. In 2011,nearly 23,000 people over age65 died and 2.4 million weretreated in emergency departmentsbecause of falls.“Making changes in ourhome to prevent falls isgood for us and for ourgranddaughter whenshe comes to visit.”1PCheckforSafetyFalls are often due to hazards thatare easy to overlook but easy tofix. This checklist will help youfind and fix those hazards inyour home.The checklist asks about hazardsfound in each room of your home.For each hazard, the checklist tellsyou how to fix the problem. Atthe end of the checklist, you’ll findother tips for preventing falls.PCheckforSafety2
FLOORS: Look at thefloor in each room.Q: When you walk through aroom, do you have to walkaround furniture?Ask someone to move the furnitureso your path is clear.Q: Do you have throw rugs onthe floor?Remove the rugs or use doublesided tape or a non-slip backingso the rugs won’t slip.“Last Saturday ourson helped us move ourfurniture. Now all therooms have clear paths.”Q: Are there papers, books,towels, shoes, magazines,boxes, blankets, or otherobjects on the floor?Pick up things that are on the floor.Always keep objects off the floor.Q: Do you have to walk over oraround wires or cords (like lamp,telephone, or extension cords)?Coil or tape cords and wires next tothe wall so you can’t trip over them.If needed, have an electrician put inanother outlet.3PCheckforSafetyPCheckforSafety4
STAIRS AND STEPS:Look at the stairs you useboth inside and outsideyour home.Q: Has the stairway light bulbQ: Are there papers, shoes, books,Q: Is the carpet on the steps looseor other objects on the stairs?Pick up things on the stairs. Alwayskeep objects off stairs.Q: Are some steps brokenburned out?Have a friend or family memberchange the light bulb.or torn?Make sure the carpet is firmlyattached to every step, or removethe carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads to the stairs.Q: Are the handrails loose oror uneven?broken? Is there a handrailon only one side of the stairs?Q: Are you missing a light overthe stairway?Have an electrician put in an overhead light at the top and bottom ofthe stairs.Q: Do you have only one lightswitch for your stairs (only atthe top or at the bottom ofthe stairs)?Fix loosehandrailsor put innew ones.Make surehandrailsare on bothsides of thestairs andare as longas the stairs.Have an electrician put in a lightswitch at the top and bottom of thestairs. You can get light switchesthat glow.5PCheckforSafetyPCheckforSafetyPhoto courtesy of Jake PaulsFix loose or uneven steps.6
KITCHEN: Look at yourkitchen and eating area.BATHROOMS: Look atall your bathrooms.Q: Are the things you use oftenQ: Is the tub or shower flooron high shelves?slippery?Move items in your cabinets.Keep things you use often on thelower shelves (about waist level).Q: Is your step stool unsteady?Q: Do you need some supportIf you must use a step stool, getone with a bar to hold on to.Never use a chair as a step stool.7Put a non-slip rubber mat or selfstick strips on the floor of the tubor shower.PCheckforSafetywhen you get in and out ofthe tub or up from the toilet?Have grab bars put in next to andinside the tub and next to the toilet.PCheckforSafety8
BEDROOMS: Look atall your bedrooms.Q: Is the light near the bed hardto reach?Place a lamp close to the bedwhere it’s easy to reach.“I put a lamp on eachside of my bed. Now it’seasy to find the light ifI wake up at night.”9PCheckforSafetyQ: Is the path from your bed to thebathroom dark?Put in a night-light so you cansee where you’re walking. Somenight-lights go on by themselvesafter dark.PCheckforSafety10
Other Things You Can Doto Prevent FallsDo exercises that improve yourbalance and make your legsstronger. Exercise also helps youfeel better and more confident.Have your doctor or pharmacistlook at all the medicines you take,even over-the-counter medicines.Some medicines can make yousleepy or dizzy.Have your eyes checked by aneye doctor at least once a yearand update your glasses.Get up slowly after you sit orlie down.Wear shoes both inside andoutside the house. Avoid goingbarefoot or wearing slippers.Improve the lighting in yourhome. Put in brighter light bulbs.Florescent bulbs are brightand cost less to use.It’s safest to have uniform lightingin a room. Add lighting to darkareas. Hang lightweight curtainsor shades to reduce glare.Paint a contrasting color on the topedge of all steps so you can seethe stairs better. For example, usea light color paint on dark wood.1111PCheckforSafetyPCheckforSafety1212
Other Safety TipsKeep emergency numbers in largeprint near each phone.Put a phone near the floor in caseyou fall and can’t get up.Think about wearing an alarmdevice that will bring help in caseyou fall and can’t get up.“I feel stronger andbetter about myselfsince I started takingTai Chi.”13PCheckforSafetyPCheckforSafety14
Check for . Safety. A Home Fall . Prevention Checklist for . Older Adults. P. For more information, contact:
