If you or your elderly loved one live at home, it’s always a good idea to be reminded of fall prevention tips. According to Lively.com, 60% of falls occur inside of the home, making fall prevention crucial for senior citizens. Implement these 10 tips into your daily routine for greater safety and peace of mind. 

1. Brighten Rooms with Lights 

If you have dim lighting around the house, it makes it difficult to see tripping hazards even during the daytime. Adding night lights that lead from the bedroom to the bathroom is smart for late-night restroom trips as well.  

2. Wear Non-Slip Socks or Shoes 

Another safety measure to take is to get a comfortable pair of non-slip shoes to wear only around the house. If you’re not a fan of wearing shoes inside, there are non-slip socks that work great as well. 

3. Take It Slow 

As you’re moving from one place to another, make sure to take your time. When you go from sitting to standing, give yourself a second before taking a step to make sure you’re balanced. Also, be careful not to go too quickly up or down the stairs as they make losing your balance even easier. 

4. Invest In a Stair Lift 

As previously mentioned, stairs can be dangerous for older individuals. If you have multiple levels in your home, consider investing in a stair lift so you can efficiently and safely get from one floor to the next. 

5. Keep Things Neat and Tidy 

If you’re not a very tidy person, it’s time to change that! Keep your home free of clutter so there are fewer things to maneuver around when you walk. 

6. Remove Tripping Hazards 

Tripping hazards may include rugs, cords, floorboards that stick up, loose carpet and more. Go to each room of your home and see if there are any tripping hazards you can remove. 

7. Avoid Oversized Pants 

This may sound silly but believe it or not, your clothing can cause a fall, too. Make sure your pants aren’t too baggy or long so you can avoid tripping over them. 

8. Install Grab Bars 

This is a crucial step for bathroom safety. Installing grab bars near the toilet and shower will be a great help when you sit on or stand up from the toilet, as well as when you enter and exit the shower. Over 80% of falls occur in the bathroom, so don’t skip this step! 

9. Use Non-Skid Mats 

Loose throw rugs are nice for the bathroom or entryway, but they can be a tripping hazard as well. Consider getting non-skid mats that stay planted on the floor. 

10. Keep a Phone Nearby 

Not everyone remembers to carry their phone around the house with them, but if you do end up falling, you’ll need a way to call for help. If you have a home phone, keep one handy in high-traffic areas like the bedroom, kitchen and even the bathroom. 

Yorhom Medical Essentials is here to make sure you have the products to make your house as safe as possible. View our locations here and stop in to view what we have or ask questions – we're happy to help!