Regular home safety check-ups keep seniors safe
Spring is a great time to take a fresh look at your older adult’s home to make sure it’s as safe as possible.
Hazards add up over time and increase the risk of falls or accidents – a top reason for seniors to lose mobility or decline in health. Regular home safety check-ups reduce fall risk and help them stay as independent as possible.
We created a handy printable checklist of essential spring safety tips. Use this free checklist to help you notice things around the house, fix safety issues, and take notes if larger repairs are needed.
Use this printable checklist to keep seniors safe at home
Once or twice a year, go through this checklist of important safety updates to keep your older adult’s home in tip-top shape.
Our printable checklist includes:
Medication
- Update the list of all medications, vitamins, and supplements
- Safely dispose of any expired or discontinued medications
Bathroom
- Install grab bars (if needed) or make sure existing ones are sturdy and well-attached
- Replace bath mats with non-skid low profile mats
- Install a raised toilet seat or safety frame (if needed) or check that existing ones are sturdy
- Make sure tub or shower floor is non-slip – try this at-home treatment or these stick-on decals
- Add automatic night lights to make it easy to see at night
Kitchen
- Prominently post emergency contact information on the fridge and near the telephone
- Check that appliances are in good working condition and within easy reach
- Place frequently used items in easy reach
- Put away appliances that are rarely used to remove clutter
- Check that the stove, refrigerator, and freezer are in good working condition
Bedroom
- Use automatic night lights to light the way to the bathroom
- Check that the bedside lamp is easy to turn on and off
- Make sure the phone and/or medical alert device is easy to reach from the bed
- Check that the bed is easy to get into and out of or add an aid like this one
- Keep clothing and daily dressing & grooming items within easy reach
General house
- Set the water heater at a temperature that won’t scald
- Check that all sinks and drains are in good working order
- Clear hallways and main floor spaces of dangerous clutter
- Secure all electrical cords at the edges of rooms
- Make sure lighting is bright, that there are on/off switches at every doorway, and replace light bulbs as needed or switch to long-lasting LED bulbs
- Change smoke detector batteries or switch to a 10-year smoke detector
- Make sure fire extinguishers are fully charged and easily accessible
- Check that furniture is sturdy and in good shape – no wobbly or sliding chairs
- Check that flooring is smooth and free of tripping hazards
Outside the house
- Make sure that house numbers are clearly visible from the street, night and day
- Check that walkways are clear, free of tripping hazards, and have supportive handrails (as needed)
Next Step Print or save our free spring safety checklist to keep your older adult’s home safe (PDF)
Recommended for you:
- Dementia Proof Your Home with This Safety Checklist
- Home Modifications for Seniors: A Room-by-Room Guide
- 7 Sources of Home Repair Assistance for Seniors
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Image: Evolving Care
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