12 Tips to Protect Against Falling at Home

Because most of the 2.3 million falls reported each year occur in the home, it’s important to keep your environment safe. You should also practice being cognizant of your potential for a fall, says Sharon Brangman, MD, a geriatrician and professor of medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York.

Read on for information on how to make sure you stay steady on your feet.

Stairs are a prime location for a nasty fall, says Lee Shapiro, MD, a rheumatologist in Saratoga Springs, New York, who is working on a book about falls. To prevent a fall on the stairs, install railings on both sides of all staircases. Fix any steps that are loose or uneven. Make sure the carpet is firmly attached on each step. Have a light switch at both the top and the bottom of the staircase. And never store objects on the stairs, where they are a tripping hazard.

Start by not placing objects on the floor at all. Get rid of books and magazines, stray shoes and objects that are lying about, just waiting to trip you up.

Light the way. Darkened corridors, walkways and staircases are prime spots for a fall. Make sure to install lights wherever you may walk, including a nightlight on the path to the bathroom, if you often make middle-of-the-night visits. “As we get older, it takes longer for our eyes to adjust to dark and light,” Brangman says.

Be especially alert to changes in your environment after you have young visitors. Look out for misplaced toys, furniture that’s been moved or objects that have been temporarily shifted around. “When you have guests, it’s easy to forget that things have been moved and are out of place,” Shapiro says.

“If you need to do something that requires a ladder, hire a handyman,” Brangman says. Don’t do tasks like painting, cleaning gutters or removing a hornet’s nest. Hire someone else to shovel snow. Invest in a mattress that doesn’t require any flipping.

“If you’re at all unsteady on your feet, don't climb up ladders or onto chairs,” Shapiro says.

Sure, you may love your dog or cat. But some animals can get underfoot and pose a falling hazard. Be vigilant about where your pet is at all times.

It’s tempting to run for that ringing phone, but it’s never a good idea. Instead, carry a portable or cell phone with you.

... Even if it’s a slow walk across the room. Focus on walking until you get to your destination.

“Remember the number one rule when your grandchild urges you to look at something,” Shapiro says. “Stop to look. Don't turn your head off your path and keep walking.”

Never walk around the house in socks or stockings, especially on hardwood floors. Brangman says you should also avoid shoes with thick soles, which may cling to the floor. “You could be propelling forward, but your feet are still stuck on floor,” she says. Don’t wear slippers outdoors, where they may not have enough traction on icy porches.

As you age, make necessary changes to keep your environment safe. “If you want to stay in your own home, you have to adapt your home to make it safe for you,” Brangman says. For instance, you may need to install a shower, so you don’t have to step into the tub. You may require grab bars on the walls next to the shower or toilet. Making these adaptations will go a long way toward keeping you safe and allow you to age in place.