Home Safety and Falls Prevention Information

Why think about Home Safety and Falls Prevention?

Reasons Why People Fall
* The Person: factors related to the health and functioning of the person
* The Home and Environment: factors separate from the person
   – eg. physical environment

 Risks with the Person

• Lack of physical activity - walking especially helps.
• Avoid loose clothing or floppy footwear which cause tripping. Wear slippers with enclosed heels, and supportive footwear with non-slip soles.
• Foot problems - wear proper fitting, supportive shoes. Avoid high heels and see a podiatrist for foot care.
• Pills - If you are having side effects or interactions between medications talk to your doctor especially if you are drowsy or dizzy. Take your medications as prescribed.
• Dizziness - Get up from chairs/bed slowly. Pause and take one slow, deep breath before moving again. Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
• Illness - cold, flu, etc.
• Disorders like arthritis, stroke, heart disease, Parkinson's disease can cause pain, weakness, or poor balance - consider a mobility aid such as a walker or cane. Talk to your doctor about ways to manage pain. Do balance exercises.
• Seeing or hearing loss. Wear your glasses and hearing aids and go for regular eye tests and hearing tests.
• Incontinence - try a routine of going to the bathroom every two hours during the day and then increase your time between bathroom visits. Don't rush. When you have the urge, stop and wait and once you have control, then go to the bathroom. Talk to your doctor. Wear liners or pads if necessary.
• Alcohol - Limit intake.
• Cognitive changes, confusion, dementia.
• Stress, depression, not paying attention or hurrying.
• Taking unnecessary risks - eg. climbing ladders, going up on the roof, climbing on chairs, etc.
  

 Risks with the Home and Environment

OUTSIDE THE HOME - 30% of home accidents take place outside the home. To prevent accidents:

• Keep front steps and walkways in good repair and free of clutter
• Get solid railings on both sides of stairs
• Check stairs are firm, level and a non-slip surface
• Ensure the house number is easily visible from the road
• Ensure good lighting outside the front door and stairs
• Keep stairways and walkways free of snow, ice and leaves
• Trim plants and trees from hanging over your walkway
• If working in the yard, avoid the heat of the day, rest frequently, drink plenty of water and reduce frequent bending which can make you dizzy
• Avoid using ladders and climbing whenever possible
• Keep extension cords in good repair
  
  

  Report a problem or safety issue regarding streets and sidewalks to James Rice in the City of Vernon Operations Department at 250 549-6757. Typically safety issues are addressed immediately, and general issues are addressed on a priority basis.

INSIDE THE HOME

Stairs - 17% of home accidents:  

• Install solid railings on both sides of inside stairs
• Check stairs meet the 7:11 rule: maximum 7" height (rise) and minimum 11" depth (tread) and each the same
• Keep stairs and stair coverings in good repair
• Get two-way light switches at top and bottom of stairs
• Keep stairs free of clutter
• Paint the edge of each stair with a contrasting color or at least the top and bottom stairs
• Consider having a chair to rest on at the top and bottom of the stairs if you tire easily
• Try to have a bag with a handle to hang over your arm if you need to carry things up or down the stairs so you keep your hands freer

Lighting:  

• Have a lamp or nightlight or light switch near your bed
• Have night lights or motion sensor lights in the hall and
  bathroom and on stairways
• Have a clear path between your bed and the bathroom
• Ensure well positioned and well-diffused lighting
• Allow time for your eyes to adapt to changes in lighting - it takes longer as we get older
• Install light switches at the entrance to each room
• Keep a flashlight with extra batteries by your bed at night

Flooring:  

• Avoid scatter rugs, especially at the top or bottom of stairs. Ensure you have a non-slip backing in good condition if you must use scatter rugs or area rugs. Consider taping the edges of any area/scatter rugs.
• Replace rugs that have curled edges, worn spots or rips.
• Clean up spills immediately
• Choose non-glare, non-slip flooring

Bathrooms:  

• Replace towel racks with grab bars installed into the wall studs
• Ensure there is a non-slip finish on the tub and/or use a non-slip rubber mat or strips
• Use a tub rail or grab bar or floor-to-ceiling pole when stepping in and out of the tub
• Have a nightlight in the bathroom and ensure the light switch is easily accessible
• Use a bath stool or raised toilet seat if getting up and down is difficult
• Avoid bath oil in the tub

Walkways:

• Keep walkways free of furniture and clutter
• Make sure cords do not hang or lie across the walkway
• If it isn't there, it can't be tripped over

Furniture:  

• Raise the height of furniture if necessary to make it easier and safer to stand and sit
• Avoid swivel rocking chairs if possible
• Ensure furniture is in good repair and preferably has solid arm rests
• Rearrange furniture to ensure safe, clear pathways
• Make sure the bedspread is not trailing on the floor

Kitchen:  

• Turn pot handles inward to avoid bumping or tipping and risk of a burn
• Use automatic shutoff appliances such as kettles and irons
• Avoid loose sleeves when reaching across the stove
• Store most frequently used items where it is easier to reach them (knee to shoulder height)
• Never store heavy objects in high cupboards
• Avoid overloading plug outlets
• Use the microwave instead of the stove when possible
• Avoid unnecessary risks. Minimize bending and climbing. Use a reacher or pickup stick.
• Keep electrical cords in good repair
• Have a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen

Renting or Buying a New Home
Consider how difficult it would be to manage in the home if you needed to use a wheelchair or walker.

Pets
Keep the pet dish away from traffic areas. Always be on the lookout to avoid tripping over the family pet.

Alert Systems
Consider a personal medical alarm system or develop a buddy system with a friend or neighbour or family member, eg. phone by a certain time each morning.

Phones
Have a phone beside the bed. Consider getting a portable phone. Put a sticker with the "911" emergency number on each phone. Don't rush to answer the phone - get an answering machine.

Smoke Alarms
Check your smoke alarms twice a year when the time changes (Spring forward, Fall back).

Mobility Aids
Check the height is correct - usually at the level of your wrist bones.
Use the opposite hand for a cane to the weaker or more painful leg.
Keep walker, cane etc. in good condition. Check that the rubber tips are not worn. Use a walker basket, bag or tray for carrying things if you use a walker.

Lock brakes on the wheelchair before sitting or standing.