Falls are of due to hazards that are easy to overlook but easy to fix. This checklist will help you find and fix those hazards in your home.

The checklist asks about hazards found in each room of your home. For each hazard, the checklist tells you how to fix the problem. At the end of the checklist, you will find other tips for preventing falls.

Floors
Look at the floor in each room

Q. When you walk through a room, do you have to
walk around furniture?

Ask someone to move the furniture so your path is
clear.

Q. Do you have throw rugs on the floor?

We recommend removing all rugs, especially if you use a cane or walker. These devices can easily catch the edges of a rug and cause a fall.

Q. Are papers, magazines, books, shoes, boxes,
blankets, towels or other objects on the floor?

Pick up things that are on the floor. Always keep
objects off the floor.

Q. Do you have to walk over or around cords or wires
(like cords from lamps, extension cords, or
telephone cords)?

Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you
can't trip over them. Have an electrician put in another
outlet.

Stairs and Steps

Look at the stairs you use both inside and outside your home.

Q. Are papers, shoes, books, or other objects on the
stairs?

Pick up things on the stairs. Always keep objects off
the stairs.

Q. Are some steps broken or uneven?

Fix loose or uneven steps.

Q. Are you missing a light over the stairway?

Have a handyman or an electrician put in an overhead
light at the top and bottom of the stairs.

Q. Has the stairway light bulb burned out?

Have a friend or family member change the light bulb.

Q. Do you have only one light switch for your stairs
(only at the top or at the bottom of the stairs)?

Have a handyman or an electrician put in a light
switch at the top and bottom of the stairs. You can
get light switches that glow.

Q. Are the handrails loose or broken? Is there a
handrail on only one side of the stairs?

Fix loose handrails or put in new ones. Make sure
handrails are on both sides of the stairs and are as
long as the stairs.

Q. Is the carpet on the steps loose or torn?

Make sure the carpet is firmly attached to every step or
remove the carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads on
the stairs.

Kitchen

Look at your kitchen and eating area

Q. Are the things you use often on high shelves?

Move items in your cabinets. Keep things you use often on the
lower shelves (about waist high).

Q. Is your step stool unsteady?

Get a new, steady step stool with a bar to hold on to. Never
use a chair as a step stool.

Bedrooms

Look at all your bedrooms.

Q. Is the light near the bed hard to reach?

Place a lamp close to the bed where it is easy to reach.

Q. Is the path from your bed to the bathroom dark?

Put in a night-light so you can see where you're walking.
Some night-lights go on by themselves after dark.

Bathrooms

Look at all your bathrooms.

Q. Is the tub or shower floor slippery?

Put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of
the tub or shower.

Q. Do you have some support when you get in and out the
tub or up from the toilet?

Have a handyman or a carpenter put in a grab bar inside the tub
and next to the toilet.