Senior Home Safety Checklist

Floors

• • Keep objects off the floor such as shoes, books, papers, and clothes

• • Remove rugs or use double-sided tape or a non-slip backing so rugs won’t slip

• • Coil or tape extension cords and wires next to the wall and out of the way

• • Keep pathways clear of furniture

• • Put no-slip strips on tile and wooden floors

Bathroom

• • Put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower

• • Consider a shower chair

• • Use non-skid mats

• • Install grab bars next to toilets and

• • inside showers/tubs

Kitchen

• • Keep often-used items in easy-to-reach places (about waist level)

• • NEVER use a chair as a step stool

• • If you must use a step stool, get one with a bar to hold on to

Bedroom

• • Place lamps close to the bed where they are easy to reach and use bright light bulbs

• • Plug in night lights; battery-operated lights are available for areas without electrical outlets

• • Keep a flashlight by your bed in case the power goes out

• • Install a phone on the floor in case of an emergency

Stairs

• • Fix loose or uneven steps

• • Ensure carpet is firmly attached to every step, or remove carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads to steps

• • Install handrails on both sides of stairs

• • Have bright lighting and light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs