Because anyone can have a bad fall, the following suggestions are worth considering regardless of your age.

• If you need glasses, wear them, but never walk around with glasses on that are meant only for reading. Take them off before moving around.
• Use a walking stick or cane if you are even slightly unsteady on your feet. Do not hesitate to use a walker or support frame outdoors, as well as in the house, if you feel safer or your physician recommends one.
• Wear well-fitted shoes with low heels or slippers with non-slip soles. Avoid long shoelaces that can easily come undone and trip you.
• Make sure carpets and other floor covering are secured around the edges. Never use loose mats and rugs on shiny, polished floors.
• Illuminate potentially hazardous areas such as stairs. White or very light-colored paint on either side of a flight of stairs can help.
• Strong banisters running along all indoor and outdoor steps are essential. One should be installed wherever such a support is not already in place or use an alternate route.
• Have a bedside lamp or low-wattage night light in your bedroom so that you never have to grope around in the dark when getting out of bed at night. Power-outage lights that come on automatically come in handy when the power fails.
• Fit secure handrails in convenient places near the bathtub and toilet and use non-slip mats both inside and alongside every bath or shower.
• Minimize floor clutter in rooms and eliminate anything on or near stairways. Children's toys can be especially hazardous.
• Secure electrical appliance cords to moldings or walls whenever possible. Do not let them run loosely across the floor.
• Store frequently-used clothing and other items in places you can reach without standing on a stool or chair. If you must climb up to get something, use a stable stepladder or sturdy chair. Better still, get someone to do the reaching for you.

• Use a broomstick or long dowel to test your smoke detectors.

Fall Hazards Checklist

Bathroom

• Door threshold is not too high
• Skid-proof mats or strips in tub or shower
• Toilet and tub grab bars securely fastened where needed
• Toilet height is correct

Bedrooms

• Bed height is appropriate
• Nightlights and/or bedside light available for safe movement
• Pathway from bedroom to bathroom unobstructed
• Bed mattresses provide good support while sitting on edge
• Floors are non-slip and clutter-free
• Commonly used items on closet shelves can be reached easily

Kitchen

• Floor is not slippery
• Storage areas are easily reached
• Chairs are wheel-free and at the right height for sitting down and rising from easily
• Step stools are sturdy and treads are slip-resistant

General Interior

• Light switches are accessible when entering room
• Lights are bright enough
• Stairways are adequately lighted
• Stair handrails are securely installed
• Telephones are accessible in order to call for assistance
• Furniture is secure enough to provide support if leaned upon

Exterior

• Step surfaces are non-slip
• Step edges are visually marked to avoid tripping
• Steps are in good repair
• Walkways are slip- and trip-free
• Outdoor light is sufficient for nighttime activities