Home Safety

Think safety first

• Make sure emergency numbers are posted on or near the telephone.
• Install fire extinguishers and smoke detectors and learn how to use them.
• Install at least one smoke alarm and at least one carbon monoxide detector on every floor.
• Check for fire hazards and fireproof your home.
• Prevent access to radiators or portable heaters. Keep small stoves and heaters placed where they cannot be knocked over and away from flammable furnishings and materials, such as curtains or rugs.
• Make sure you have an emergency exit for your home, as well as an emergency exit plan with which everyone in your home is familiar.
• Make a fire disaster evacuation plan and practice with your loved ones.
• Alert the fire department about your family member’s special safety needs.

Think safety first

• Provide a clear area for maneuvering in all rooms. Keep heavy traffic areas free from clutter. Keep desk chairs and table chairs pushed in. Move large pieces of furniture out of the main traffic areas. Remove all unstable furniture to prevent from holding on to unstable surfaces; use given device instead, such as a walker or cane.
• Remove carpeting, small rugs and runners, and throw rugs.
• Do not wax floors. Use non-skid, non-glare products to clean and polish floors.
• If rugs must remain on the floor, purchase new rugs with slip-resistant backing or make sure to use double-faced adhesive carpet tape or rubber matting on the backs of rugs to secure them properly in place.
• Remember that over time, adhesive tape and slip-resistant backing can become worn and less effective; periodically check your rugs to ensure they are secure.
• Make sure there is adequate lighting throughout the house, with easily accessible switches, to help prevent falls.
• Consider replacing existing switches with glow switches that can be seen in the dark.
• Rocker light switches are easier to use for those with limited hand function.
• Install nightlights.
• Keep an operating flashlight handy.
• Make sure to place telephone, lamp, and extension cords out of the flow of traffic. Tape down electrical cords. Do not nail or staple cords or place furniture on top of cords, as this can cause cords to become frayed or damaged, creating a shock or fire hazard. Remove extension cords from walkways to prevent tripping.
• Keep keys to vehicles and heavy machinery out of reach.
• Do not sleep with a heating pad or electric blanket to prevent burning and fires.
• Adjust the thermostat on the hot water heater to 120 degrees F to prevent burns due to impaired sensation.
• Remove any harmful weapons, such as guns and  knives.

Make it easier

• Widen doorways, especially for wheelchair users, to at least 36 inches.
  • Doorways should allow for 4 inches on each side of the wheelchair, as well as extra room to accommodate turns.
  • Remove doors or place recessed hinges on doors, as possible, to provide additional clearance.
  • Doors should open to at least 90 degrees.
  • Curtains can be used for privacy.
• Ensure stairways have sturdy handrails on both sides.
• Use electric garage door openers.
• Discourage pets from resting and sleeping on stairs and steps.
• Remove pets when moving about to prevent them from getting in the way.

Consider adaptive supplies

• Bed alarm
• Door alarm
• Motion-sensor lights
• Offset hinges
• Pocket door
• Programmable phone
• Tablet mounts
• Threshold ramp
• Video monitoring
• Wheelchair alarm
• Voice-activated phone

Think safety first

• Supervise person when cooking or using sharp objects in the kitchen.
• Take extra care near the stove and oven.
  • Make sure pan handles are always pointed away from the edge of the stove and other burners.
  • Keep oven mitts on hand when cooking to prevent burns, though make sure flammable items such as potholders, curtains, and dish towels are not placed near the stove.
  • Don’t transport hot items on your lap or across your body. Use a cart or slide them on the counter tops.
  • If a person must sit and is unable to see the stovetop, place a mirror above the stove positioned at a slant so he/she can see what is cooking and safely engage in stovetop activities.
• Clean up all grease, water, and other spilled liquids immediately to prevent falls.
• Keep a fire extinguisher and a well-stocked first aid kit close by.
• Safeguard appliances such as the toaster, coffee maker, and blender,  that could be dangerous. Disconnect electrical appliances when not in use.
• Remove knives or store them in a safe area.
• Insulate or cover water pipes if kitchen cabinets are removed under the sink. Drain lines to prevent burns.

Make it easier

• Remove counter clutter to reduce confusion.
• Store frequently used items in easy reach.
• Have good lighting near stove and sink areas and use it when preparing meals, cleaning, and cooking.
• Use color contrast at the edge of counters to enhance visibility.
• If a person must sit and is unable to see the stovetop, place a mirror above the stove positioned at a slant so he/she can see what is cooking and safely engage in stovetop activities.
• Widen the doorway to at least 36 inches if you need to accommodate a wheelchair.
• Install lever-type faucet handles.

Consider adaptive supplies

• Automatic can opener
• Automatic dish soap dispenser
• Easy-grip utensils
• Front dial oven
• Jar grips
• Lazy Susan
• Lever-type faucet
• One-handed cutting board
• Oven mitt
• Oven pull
• Plate guard
• Pot/pan holder
• Pull-out cutting board
• Pull-out shelving
• Right angle
• Rocker knife
• Rolling cart
• Sink caddy
• Splatter guard
• Stovetop mirror
• Suction cup dish brush
• Touch-activated faucet
• Universal cuff
• Wide grip kitchen gadgets

Think safety first

• If you need to walk with an assistive device, such as a walker, cane, or  crutches, use it. Falls in the bathroom can result in serious injuries such as a broken bone or head trauma.
• Remove locks on bathroom doors in case of emergency and for supervision purposes.
• Make sure floors have a non-slip surface. Remove all throw rugs. Use nonskid mats in the tub or shower.
• Install grab bars next to the toilet and around the bathtub and shower wall.
• Keep bathroom well-lit and use nightlights.
• Keep medicine bottles safely stored and clearly labeled.
• Keep bathroom cleaners in a safe place.
• Keep all electrical appliances away from water and unplug after use.
• Insulate all exposed water supply and drain lines.

Make it easier

• Place toilet paper within reach.
• Make the sink, tub, and shower user-friendly with lever-type faucet handles, a hand-held showerhead, and/or larger shower and/or bath controls.
• Space planning should allow for the use of a walker or wheelchair.
  • Use a chair for activities at the sink, such as shaving and grooming.
  • Provide an open space under the sink for a chair. Make sure there is enough clearance for your armrests, especially for wheelchair users.
  • Lower the shelving, medicine cabinet, mirror and towel rods to chair height, as this will make reaching for objects easier.
  • Replace the toilet with a higher model with an elongated seat or purchase a raised toilet seat. This design will help taller people, wheelchair users, and those with limited hip movement to transfer more easily.

Consider adaptive supplies

• Bath mitt
• Hand-held shower
• Lever-type faucet handles
• Long-handled brush
• Long-handled loofah
• Pill box with timer
• Motion-activated dispensers
• Motion-activated lights
• Non-skid bathmat
• Roll-under sink with insulated pipes
• Sink top organizers
• Soap on a rope
• Suction cup nail brush
• Suction cup shower caddy
• Suction grab bars
• Universal built-up
• Wall-mounted mirror

Think safety first

• Rearrange your furniture to allow for clearance to the bed and ease of mobility to the door and bathroom.
• Place a nightstand by the bed and make sure a lamp or light switch is near the bed for mobility during the night. Nightlights can be used as well.
• Remove all carpeting and throw rugs.
• Modify your closet to make clothes easily accessible.
• If you need to walk with an assistive device, use it.
• Never sleep with a heating pad turned on; this can cause serious burns, even at relatively low settings.
• Make sure a telephone is easily accessed from your bed for emergencies.

Consider adaptive supplies

• Adjustable-angle bed
• Adjustable-height shelving
• Bed rails
• Bed risers
• Button hook
• Elastic or Velcro shoelaces
• Long-handled shoe horn
• Motion-activated light switch
• Reacher
• Shoe rack
• Sock aide
• Touch lamp

Think safety first

• If you have steps to access your home, you may want to build a ramp to make your entrance easier and safer. A ramp is particularly necessary for wheelchair and walker users.
  • Measure the height of each step and count how many steps you have. For every inch in rise, your ramp should have a foot in length. For example, if you have three steps and each is eight inches high (3 x 8 = 24), your ramp should be 24 feet long.
  • Your ramp should be made of durable material with a non-slip surface.
  • A physical or occupational therapist can help you design an appropriate ramp for your home.
• Your door entrance should open into your home and should open to at least 90 degrees.
  • For wheelchair users, your door should be at least 36 inches wide or wider to have enough room for the wheelchair to pass through.  Always measure the chair from wheel to wheel before widening
    doorways.
• Install a garage door opener and provide a clear 3- to 5-foot space between your car and the garage to wall to allow room to transfer.
• Place a covered walkway, as needed, from your parking space to the entrance of your home.
• Keep outside areas well lit.
• Keep walkways, steps, yard, and sidewalks free from ice, snow, toys, tools, lawn equipment, and debris.
• Keep yard surfaces even to prevent falls.
• Enclose yard to prevent wandering or getting lost.
• Supervise when outdoors to prevent getting lost in crowds.
• Keep lawn and garden tools safely stored.
• Keep outdoor poisons locked up.

Make it easier

• Supervise near pools or other water.
• Limit time in the hot sun.
• Ensure that small pets do not get underfoot when walking. Restrain large pets that may jump to prevent loss of balance.
• Alert neighbors of general safety needs.

Think safety first

Modifying your home might be necessary when the home no longer meets the needs of those who live there. For someone in a wheelchair, it might mean building a ramp or widening the doorways. For someone who has difficulty walking, it might mean adding rails by stairs or installing grab bars in the bathroom.

The goal is to create a space where routine activities can be done safely and as independently as possible.

Consult a local medical professional with any questions.

Getting started

When looking for someone to do home modifications, you may want to consider these ideas:

• Get ideas from friends who may have had this type of work done.
• Hire a licensed and bonded contractor with proper liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Hire only an experienced contractor who will guarantee their work. Check with your local Better Business Bureau about the contractor’s record. Always ask for references.
• Get all estimates in writing. Have your payment plan and agreement in writing. Pay a small deposit in the beginning. Make the final payment when the project is completed to your satisfaction. Make any changes to the work or payment plan in writing. Do not sign a certificate of completion or make a final payment until the work is done.

Paying for the modifications

There are several ways to modify and repair your home. You can find information through local organizations such as:

• Area agency on aging
• State department on aging
• State housing financing agency
• Department of public welfare
• Department of community development
• Senior independent living center

• Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities – Ready.gov
• Reducing Home Risks – Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA)
• U.S. Fire Administration – Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA)