5 Ways to Prevent Falls at Home

Take these five steps to prevent falls
December 19, 2018

Home should be your safe haven. But as it turns out, most falls take place there. With 1 in 4 Americans over the age of 65 falling each year, we want you to feel safe and comfortable in your own space.

Making your home safer doesn’t require remodeling. It can be as simple as implementing the following precautions.

  1. Clean up any clutter (no matter how small)

Although your favorite book or magazine may bring you great joy, it can be a great tripping hazard if left on the floor. One of the easiest ways to prevent falls is to remove any and all the clutter – especially from high traffic areas such as hallways and staircases.

  1. Install grab bars and handrails

It’s important to have a form of support when going up and down stairs, getting on and off the toilet and stepping in and out of the bathtub. Make sure you have all these forms of support and check to see that they remain secured. If any seem loose, have a family member help with necessary repairs.

  1. Avoid baggy clothes

You want to feel comfortable in your home. But baggy clothes can create a higher risk of falling. Feel free to wear your favorite pair of sweatpants, but make sure they are properly hemmed and don’t drag on the ground.

  1. Shed some light on it

We all enjoy a little mood lighting, but the lack of light in your house can lead to a greater chance of falling. To create a safer space for yourself or a loved one, install brighter light bulbs where needed. Doctors also recommend adding night lights in bedrooms and bathrooms for safer movement at night.

  1. Wear shoes

Ditching your shoes at the door may be your habit. But if your socks aren’t slip resistant, they pose another risk of falling. Preventing falls at home can be as simple as wearing shoes!

Precaution is better than cure. – Edward Coke

For more information

At The Christian Village at Mason, we’re dedicated to helping our residents stay healthy and happy. Visit our website or our social media at Facebook or Twitter for continued updates.

 

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