A senior home safety checklist

Falls are the leading cause of injury for older adults, and most of the causes at home are simple to fix: loose rugs, poor lighting, no grab bars in the bathroom, clutter in walkways, and stairs without a solid handrail on both sides. Walk through the home with this checklist, ideally with the person who lives there, and fix what you can the same day.

Entrances and hallways

• A secure handrail on any steps at the door.
• Good lighting outside and just inside the door; a light switch reachable without crossing a dark room.
• Thresholds flat or clearly marked; no step you could miss.
• Walkways clear of shoes, umbrellas, mail and clutter.
• A place to set bags down while unlocking the door.

Living areas

• Rugs removed, or taped down on all edges with non-slip backing.
• Electrical and phone cords run along walls, never across a walking path.
• A clear path between the main chair, the kitchen and the bathroom.
• The main chair firm and high enough to get out of easily; add a riser cushion if not.
• Lamps or switches reachable from the chair; nothing to fumble for in the dark.

Bathroom

• Grab bars fixed into the wall studs beside the toilet and in the shower or bath (towel rails don’t count).
• A non-slip mat in the tub or shower and a non-slip bath mat outside it.
• A shower chair or bench, and a hand-held shower head, if standing is tiring.
• A raised toilet seat if getting up and down is hard.
• Water heater set to 120°F (49°C) or lower to prevent scalds.
• A night light, and nothing stored on the floor.

Bedroom

• A lamp and a phone within reach of the bed.
• The bed at a height where feet rest flat on the floor when sitting on the edge.
• A clear, lit path from the bed to the bathroom — motion-sensor night lights work well.
• Everyday clothes reachable without a step stool or deep bending.

Kitchen

• Everyday dishes, pots and food between waist and shoulder height — no reaching up or crouching down.
• A sturdy chair or stool to sit on for tasks at the counter.
• No step stools; if something’s only reachable with one, move it.
• A working fire extinguisher, and the stove area clear of tea towels and paper.
• Consider a stove with an auto shut-off, or knob covers, if the stove is sometimes left on.

Stairs

• A firm handrail on both sides, running the full length.
• Bright light at the top and bottom, with switches at both ends.
• Treads in good repair, no worn carpet or loose runners; a strip of contrasting tape on the edge of the top and bottom step.
• Nothing stored on the stairs, ever.

Whole house

• Smoke alarms and a carbon-monoxide alarm, tested, with fresh batteries.
• A phone reachable from the floor in the main rooms, or a wearable alert pendant.
• A list of emergency contacts by the phone, and a plan for how a responder would get in (a lock box, a neighbor with a key).
• Light bulbs at full recommended wattage; dim rooms brightened.
• Canes and walkers at the right height and with good rubber tips.

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A Selectives care coordinator does a walk-through like this as part of the free in-home consultation, and can flag where an occupational-therapy assessment or a piece of equipment would help. See how it works.

This article is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. For clinical questions, speak to your doctor.