A safe home

In this room the wet flooring, stool/step, cooker and fridge are all potential hazards that could cause a fall or make it difficult to move around.

• Consider changing things around in the kitchen so that items that are used regularly are within easier reach.
• Keep the kettle near to the sink with cups and tea/coffee beside it to make moving around the kitchen easier.
• Doing two things at once, for example, walking and carrying something can increase your risk of falling. If this is something that concerns you, ask an occupational therapist about a kitchen trolley to carry items from A to B. There is also a caddy for a walking frame that may be of help if a trolley is not suitable.

Further support

For more information about home safety, visit the NHS inform Home Safety section

Many falls could be prevented by making a few small changes in your home, including:

• removing or avoiding trip and slip hazards
• improving lighting
• storing frequently used items within easier reach
• changing or adapting furniture and furnishings to make moving around easier

These changes may also make it easier getting around your home and carrying out daily activities. They’re described in more detail below.

Trip and slip hazards

• An important first step towards preventing falls at home is to remove anything that could cause you to trip or slip while walking around. Clutter on floors or stairs, small furniture, pet bowls, trailing electrical or phone cables, or other things can cause you to trip.
• Arrange furniture to give you plenty of room to walk freely. Try to avoid leaving or storing items on stairs and hallways.
• Be aware that laminate and tiled floors can be slippery – avoid walking in your stocking soles. At home and elsewhere, try to avoid wet floors and clean up spills right away. Some air freshener sprays can leave a film on carpets or flooring making them slippery.

Flooring

• Removing loose mats and rugs reduces the risk of tripping accidentally.
• If carpets are uneven then they can cause a trip hazard particularly on stairs. Consider securing the carpet. If you are unable to do this yourself, a carer, friend or relatives may be able to do this for you. Services such as Care and Repair may also be able to help. If replacing a carpet, consider a plain carpet as this is best particularly if you have problems with your vision.
• A change in flooring going from one room or area of the house to another can cause difficulty with walking or balance. People who have a visual impairment, Parkinson’s disease, stroke or dementia are more at risk of falls at this time.
• High thresholds/steps in doorways can be lowered. You can contact your housing provider or Care and Repair for assistance.

Lighting

• Poor lighting can cause trips and accidents particularly if you already have poor eyesight. Examples of poor lighting include dull lighting, lights that cause shadows or dark areas or bright lighting that can cause glare.
• Good lighting should enable you to see quickly without causing discomfort. Remember good lighting on stairways is especially important.
• When going to the toilet when you’re sleepy your reactions are not 100%. Putting a light on helps prevent accidents. Have a lamp or light within easy reach of your bed. Consider putting night lights in the bathroom, hallways and bedroom. Also keep a torch by your bed in case the power is out and you need to get up.
• Falls can happen when changing light bulbs. Avoid trying this yourself if you are unsteady, feel dizzy or lightheaded. If you are changing a light bulb yourself, always use a step stool with a handle. Ask a friend or relative to help if you can. Otherwise Care and Repair (more information below) can advise who may be able to help.
• Some energy saving bulbs can be very dull.

Furniture and layout

• Are your chairs and bed the best height for you? It can difficult getting up and steadying yourself from a low bed or chair.
• Is your mattress or cushion too soft? It might be helpful to change to something firmer.
• Are castors or wheels on your chair, bed or table making the chair, bed or table move when you sit down or stand up? Consider removing them so that it becomes more stable.
• You might find it helpful to rearrange items you use the most to make them more accessible. For example, store your food containers, dishes, clothing, and other everyday items within easy reach. This simple change could prevent a fall that might come from over- reaching, bending down low or standing on a stool to get to an item.
• Consider how you move items between areas of your home. Is it difficult for you to walk and carry items at the same time? Ask an occupational therapist about a trolley to carry items from A to B. There is also a caddy for a walking frame that may be of help if a trolley is not suitable.
• If you have a visual impairment, Parkinson’s disease, stroke or dementia, the colour of furniture and furnishings can affect your mobility and safety when you’re trying to sit down or move about. To find more information about this, access some of useful resources by following the links listed below.

Further support

• The Thomas Pocklington Trust provide help for people who have sight loss.
• Care and Repair offer independent advice and assistance in order to help you improve and adapt your home so that you can have an independent life.
  
• For more information about home safety, visit the NHS inform Home safety section.

In this room the clutter, bed and bedding are potential hazards that could cause a fall or make it difficult to move around.

• Is your bed a good height for you to get in and out of it? Does a soft mattress make it difficult to stand up from your bed – you may want to consider changing to something firmer.
• Think about your access to clothes.  Can you reach your clothes easily? Where do you get dressed? Could you sit rather than stand if you are dizzy or unsteady or have difficulty with lower garments.

Getting up during the night

• Some people find that they fall, or are at most at risk of falling, when they get up during the night. If you need to get up, make sure that you put a bedside lamp on and put on your slippers and glasses (if you wear them).
• Sit for a moment on the side of the bed and try to move your legs in a slow marching action before standing up slowly. If you find that you are getting up to the toilet more frequently in the night you could ask your GP for advice.

Further support

For more information about home safety, visit the NHS Inform Home Safety section

Many falls could be prevented by making a few small changes in your home, including:

• removing or avoiding trip and slip hazards
• improving lighting
• storing frequently used items within easier reach
• changing or adapting furniture and furnishings to make moving around easier

These changes may also make it easier getting around your home and carrying out daily activities. They’re described in more detail below.

Trip and slip hazards

• An important first step towards preventing falls at home is to remove anything that could cause you to trip or slip while walking around. Clutter on floors or stairs, small furniture, pet bowls, trailing electrical or phone cables, or other things can cause you to trip.
• Arrange furniture to give you plenty of room to walk freely. Try to avoid leaving or storing items on stairs and hallways.
• Be aware that laminate and tiled floors can be slippery – avoid walking in your stocking soles. At home and elsewhere, try to avoid wet floors and clean up spills right away. Some air freshener sprays can leave a film on carpets or flooring making them slippery.

Flooring

• Removing loose mats and rugs reduces the risk of tripping accidentally.
• If carpets are uneven then they can cause a trip hazard particularly on stairs. Consider securing the carpet. If you are unable to do this yourself, a carer, friend or relatives may be able to do this for you. Services such as Care and Repair may also be able to help. If replacing a carpet, consider a plain carpet as this is best particularly if you have problems with your vision.
• A change in flooring going from one room or area of the house to another can cause difficulty with walking or balance. People who have a visual impairment, Parkinson’s disease, stroke or dementia are more at risk of falls at this time.
• High thresholds/steps in doorways can be lowered. You can contact your housing provider or Care and Repair for assistance.

Lighting

• Poor lighting can cause trips and accidents particularly if you already have poor eyesight. Examples of poor lighting include dull lighting, lights that cause shadows or dark areas or bright lighting that can cause glare.
• Good lighting should enable you to see quickly without causing discomfort. Remember good lighting on stairways is especially important.
• When going to the toilet when you’re sleepy your reactions are not 100%. Putting a light on helps prevent accidents. Have a lamp or light within easy reach of your bed. Consider putting night lights in the bathroom, hallways and bedroom. Also keep a torch by your bed in case the power is out and you need to get up.
• Falls can happen when changing light bulbs. Avoid trying this yourself if you are unsteady, feel dizzy or lightheaded. If you are changing a light bulb yourself, always use a step stool with a handle. Ask a friend or relative to help if you can. Otherwise Care and Repair (more information below) can advise who may be able to help.
• Some energy saving bulbs can be very dull.

Furniture and layout

• Are your chairs and bed the best height for you? It can difficult getting up and steadying yourself from a low bed or chair.
• Is your mattress or cushion too soft? It might be helpful to change to something firmer.
• Are castors or wheels on your chair, bed or table making the chair, bed or table move when you sit down or stand up? Consider removing them so that it becomes more stable.
• You might find it helpful to rearrange items you use the most to make them more accessible. For example, store your food containers, dishes, clothing, and other everyday items within easy reach. This simple change could prevent a fall that might come from over-reaching, bending down low or standing on a stool to get to an item.
• Consider how you move items between areas of your home. Is it difficult for you to walk and carry items at the same time? Ask an occupational therapist about a trolley to carry items from A to B. There is also a caddy for a walking frame that may be of help if a trolley is not suitable.
• If you have a visual impairment, Parkinson’s disease, stroke or dementia, the colour of furniture and furnishings can affect your mobility and safety when you’re trying to sit down or move about. To find more information about this, access some of useful resources by following the links listed below.

Further support

• The Thomas Pocklington Trust provide help for people who have sight loss.
• Care and Repair offer independent advice and assistance in order to help you improve and adapt your home so that you can have an independent life.
  
• For more information about home safety, visit the NHS inform Home safety section.

In this room the mats, wet floor and bath/shower are potential hazards that could cause a fall or make it difficult to move around.

• If you are having difficulty at home getting on and off the toilet, or in and out of the bath or shower it may be helpful to contact a community occupational therapist for advice. Properly placed handrails in your bath and shower, and next to the toilet, can help you avoid slips and falls. Be sure the hand rails are securely attached to the wall.
• If you have a new walking frame and you don’t think it will fit in your bathroom discuss this with an occupational therapist or physiotherapist as it may be your frame can be replaced or the door changed to make space.
• Bath mats can be trip hazards. Avoid them where possible. If your bath is too slippery, try and use a non slip mat or consider alternative non-slip stickers.
• Be aware of water spills in the bathroom.
• If you are struggling to stand and wash at the sink you may benefit from a perch stool or may have to sit on toilet to wash down.  If this is a problem for you, discuss it with a community occupational therapist.
• Be aware that if you get dizzy or lightheaded hot showers and baths can make the symptoms worse.

Further support

For more information about home safety, visit the NHS Inform Home Safety section

Many falls could be prevented by making a few small changes in your home, including:

• removing or avoiding trip and slip hazards
• improving lighting
• storing frequently used items within easier reach
• changing or adapting furniture and furnishings to make moving around easier

These changes may also make it easier getting around your home and carrying out daily activities. They’re described in more detail below.

Trip and slip hazards

• An important first step towards preventing falls at home is to remove anything that could cause you to trip or slip while walking around. Clutter on floors or stairs, small furniture, pet bowls, trailing electrical or phone cables, or other things can cause you to trip.
• Arrange furniture to give you plenty of room to walk freely. Try to avoid leaving or storing items on stairs and hallways.
• Be aware that laminate and tiled floors can be slippery – avoid walking in your stocking soles. At home and elsewhere, try to avoid wet floors and clean up spills right away. Some air freshener sprays can leave a film on carpets or flooring making them slippery.

Flooring

• Removing loose mats and rugs reduces the risk of tripping accidentally.
• If carpets are uneven then they can cause a trip hazard particularly on stairs. Consider securing the carpet. If you are unable to do this yourself, a carer, friend or relatives may be able to do this for you. Services such as Care and Repair may also be able to help. If replacing a carpet, consider a plain carpet as this is best particularly if you have problems with your vision.
• A change in flooring going from one room or area of the house to another can cause difficulty with walking or balance. People who have a visual impairment, Parkinson’s disease, stroke or dementia are more at risk of falls at this time.
• High thresholds/steps in doorways can be lowered. You can contact your housing provider or Care and Repair for assistance.

Lighting

• Poor lighting can cause trips and accidents particularly if you already have poor eyesight. Examples of poor lighting include dull lighting, lights that cause shadows or dark areas or bright lighting that can cause glare.
• Good lighting should enable you to see quickly without causing discomfort. Remember good lighting on stairways is especially important.
• When going to the toilet when you’re sleepy your reactions are not 100%. Putting a light on helps prevent accidents. Have a lamp or light within easy reach of your bed. Consider putting night lights in the bathroom, hallways and bedroom. Also keep a torch by your bed in case the power is out and you need to get up.
• Falls can happen when changing light bulbs. Avoid trying this yourself if you are unsteady, feel dizzy or lightheaded. If you are changing a light bulb yourself, always use a step stool with a handle. Ask a friend or relative to help if you can. Otherwise Care and Repair (more information below) can advise who may be able to help.
• Some energy saving bulbs can be very dull.

Furniture and layout

• Are your chairs and bed the best height for you? It can difficult getting up and steadying yourself from a low bed or chair.
• Is your mattress or cushion too soft? It might be helpful to change to something firmer.
• Are castors or wheels on your chair, bed or table making the chair, bed or table move when you sit down or stand up? Consider removing them so that it becomes more stable.
• You might find it helpful to rearrange items you use the most to make them more accessible. For example, store your food containers, dishes, clothing, and other everyday items within easy reach. This simple change could prevent a fall that might come from over-reaching, bending down low or standing on a stool to get to an item.
• Consider how you move items between areas of your home. Is it difficult for you to walk and carry items at the same time? Ask an occupational therapist about a trolley to carry items from A to B. There is also a caddy for a walking frame that may be of help if a trolley is not suitable.
• If you have a visual impairment, Parkinson’s disease, stroke or dementia, the colour of furniture and furnishings can affect your mobility and safety when you’re trying to sit down or move about. To find more information about this, access some of useful resources by following the links listed below.

Further support

• The Thomas Pocklington Trust provide help for people who have sight loss.
• Care and Repair offer independent advice and assistance in order to help you improve and adapt your home so that you can have an independent life.
  
• For more information about home safety, visit the NHS inform Home safety section.

• Try to avoid leaving items on the stairs.
• Be aware of patterned carpets on stairs as this can play tricks on your eyes and cause you to lose balance.
• Do you use a walking aid? If you do, make sure there is one at the top and bottom of stairs, and if needed use handrails whilst going up and down.
• Concentrating on walking while carrying items can be a risk especially on stairs. If you must carry something while walking up or down stairs, hold the item in one hand and use the handrail with the other. When you’re carrying something, be sure you can see where your feet are stepping.
• Good lighting on stairways is especially important. Light switches at both the top and bottom of stairs can help.
• Using one or two handrails for support can make you feel safer on stairs. If you don’t have any consider getting some fitted.
• If the stair is curved, walk on the widest part of the stair.

Further support

For more information about home safety, visit the NHS Inform Home Safety section

Many falls could be prevented by making a few small changes to your home, including:

• removing or avoiding trip and slip hazards
• improving lighting
• storing frequently used items within easier reach
• changing or adapting furniture and furnishings to make moving around easier

These changes may also make it easier getting around your home and carrying out daily activities. They’re described in more detail below.

Trip and slip hazards

• An important first step towards preventing falls at home is to remove anything that could cause you to trip or slip while walking around. Clutter on floors or stairs, small furniture, pet bowls, trailing electrical or phone cables, or other things can cause you to trip.
• Arrange furniture to give you plenty of room to walk freely. Try to avoid leaving or storing items on stairs and hallways.
• Be aware that laminate and tiled floors can be slippery – avoid walking in your stocking soles. At home and elsewhere, try to avoid wet floors and clean up spills right away. Some air freshener sprays can leave a film on carpets or flooring making them slippery.

Flooring

• Removing loose mats and rugs reduces the risk of tripping accidentally.
• If carpets are uneven then they can cause a trip hazard particularly on stairs. Consider securing the carpet. If you are unable to do this yourself, a carer, friend or relatives may be able to do this for you. Services such as Care and Repair may also be able to help. If replacing a carpet, consider a plain carpet as this is best particularly if you have problems with your vision.
• A change in flooring going from one room or area of the house to another can cause difficulty with walking or balance. People who have a visual impairment, Parkinson’s disease, stroke or dementia are more at risk of falls at this time.
• High thresholds/steps in doorways can be lowered. You can contact your housing provider or Care and Repair for assistance.

Lighting

• Poor lighting can cause trips and accidents particularly if you already have poor eyesight. Examples of poor lighting include dull lighting, lights that cause shadows or dark areas or bright lighting that can cause glare.
• Good lighting should enable you to see quickly without causing discomfort. Remember good lighting on stairways is especially important.
• When going to the toilet when you’re sleepy your reactions are not 100%. Putting a light on helps prevent accidents. Have a lamp or light within easy reach of your bed. Consider putting night lights in the bathroom, hallways and bedroom. Also keep a torch by your bed in case the power is out and you need to get up.
• Falls can happen when changing light bulbs. Avoid trying this yourself if you are unsteady, feel dizzy or lightheaded. If you are changing a light bulb yourself, always use a step stool with a handle. Ask a friend or relative to help if you can. Otherwise Care and Repair (more information below) can advise who may be able to help.
• Some energy saving bulbs can be very dull.

Furniture and layout

• Are your chairs and bed the best height for you? It can difficult getting up and steadying yourself from a low bed or chair.
• Is your mattress or cushion too soft? It might be helpful to change to something firmer.
• Are castors or wheels on your chair, bed or table making the chair, bed or table move when you sit down or stand up? Consider removing them so that it becomes more stable.
• You might find it helpful to rearrange items you use the most to make them more accessible. For example, store your food containers, dishes, clothing, and other everyday items within easy reach. This simple change could prevent a fall that might come from over-reaching, bending down low or standing on a stool to get to an item.
• Consider how you move items between areas of your home. Is it difficult for you to walk and carry items at the same time? Ask an occupational therapist about a trolley to carry items from A to B. There is also a caddy for a walking frame that may be of help if a trolley is not suitable.
• If you have a visual impairment, Parkinson’s disease, stroke or dementia, the colour of furniture and furnishings can affect your mobility and safety when you’re trying to sit down or move about. To find more information about this, access some of useful resources by following the links listed below.

Further support

• The Thomas Pocklington Trust provide help for people who have sight loss.
• Care and Repair offer independent advice and assistance in order to help you improve and adapt your home so that you can have an independent life.
  
• For more information about home safety, visit the NHS inform Home safety section.