How to Make Your Home Safer

Whether you’re downsizing into a new place, helping a parent or relative renovate their home or adjusting to life after you’ve had a major fall or have a new medical condition, your home should be a place where you can feel safe. Is it easy to move from room to room? Is everything you need within reach? When was the last time you replaced the batteries in your smoke detectors? What else can you do to feel safe at home?

Bathroom

According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 69 percent of all falls occur in the bathroom. Consider adding grab bars in areas where it might difficult to get up on your own. Use non-slip bathmats outside the shower and near the sink. Depending on the height of your tub, you may consider a tub transfer bench or small step to make the tub more accessible. If you don’t have a tub, consider placing a bench in the shower for stability.

A senior woman is smiling while resting on her bed.

Bedroom

This is where you start and end your day. Think about how much staying balanced plays a role in changing clothes and getting in and out of bed. Remove throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the edges from being a trip hazard. Make sure you have good light leading into the room and next to the bed. Consider using nightlights for midnight trips for a glass of water or to the bathroom. Make sure all cords for TVs, phone chargers and lamps are kept untangled and out of high traffic areas.

Kitchen

Most kitchens are the heart of the home. This is the best place for your emergency contact list and a list of your medications. Just like the bathroom, stick with non-slip mats near the sink. Change the batteries in your smoke detectors or make the move to wireless detectors. Keep your countertops clutter free and make sure to keep small appliances unplugged when you aren’t using them. Use silicone pot holders and mitts to make sure you have a good grip on hot dishes.

Home Security and Monitoring

You should be able to feel safe and secure in all areas of your home. Installation of items like deadbolts on exterior doors, thick safety glass for all exterior doors and windows, motion sensor lights around the home and a wireless security system can improve the security level of your home. Additionally, a medical alert system like CareLink Numera Innovative Medical Alert System, provided by BayCare HomeCare, can give you and your loved ones peace of mind. CareLink offers many other personal emergency response systems. For more information or to rent a CareLink product, call (844) 818-2356.