Editors Note: This is part one of a two part post.
With the winter chill and icy pavement, many of us are staying inside to avoid falling. But did you know that you’re more likely to fall inside your home than outside?
According to the Age Safe America report, 55% of falls occur within the home. They’re usually the result of small hazards such as dim lighting, clutter, slippery floors, or even the family pet. The good news is that most falls at home are preventable with a combination of awareness, simple home adjustments and a few healthy habits.
Approximately 25% of us over age 65 will fall at least once a year; when we reach 80, 33% of us are likely to have a fall. Many of these falls occur due to deficits in balance, vision and reaction time caused by normal aging processes. Medications may cause dizziness, and chronic conditions like arthritis or neuropathy can affect balance. So, it’s important to arrange your home and your lifestyle in ways that support mobility and independence.
How can I Make My Home a Safer Space?
Declutter the pathways connecting your living spaces.
- Keep walkways and stairs free of shoes, bags, cords, and loose items.
- Arrange furniture so you can move through rooms without squeezing or stepping around obstacles.
- Store frequently used items at waist height to avoid bending or climbing
Illuminate! Good lighting is a powerful fall‑prevention tool.
- Use bright, warm bulbs in hallways, staircases, and entryways.
- Add nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms, and the path between them.
- Place a lamp next to your bed
- Consider motion‑sensor fixtures for hands‑free lighting
Don’t forget the floors.
- Use non‑slip backing or double‑sided tape to secure area rugs.
- Replace worn carpeting or uneven flooring.
- Clean up spills immediately
- Avoid walking on wet floors
- Avoid running electrical cords under rugs
Watch out for Fido! Pets cause more than 85,000 falls per year
- Keep pet toys and feeding bowls in a bin out of your home’s walkways
- Use two hands to walk your dog on a short, sturdy leash
- Walk your dog in quiet, well-lit neighborhoods
- “Bell” your pets so that you don’t trip over them
Install helpful supports
- Add grab bars in the shower, bathtub, and near the toilet
- Mount handrails on both sides of staircases
- Use a shower chair and handheld showerhead
- Place non‑slip mats in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry
Reducing Falls Supports Independent Living
Fall prevention starts by redefining your living spaces. Small home updates and fresh approaches build confidence and protect your independence. Tackle changes one room at a time to create a safer, more comfortable home where you can move with ease and peace of mind.
Jill Shuman is a retired writer and librarian from Reading. She is an active member of several local senior initiatives, including Reading Friends of Seniors 60Plus and AARP Fraud Watch Network.
Image: https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/tips-preventing-falls-2019/
