Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – June is National Safety Month

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We can all benefit from safety awareness around our homes. Although all of us are at risk of falls, older Americans are especially vulnerable. Falls are the leading cause of reduced independence in people over 65, with 1 in 4 falling every year. More than 25,500 older adults died from falls in 2013 alone. More than 2 million nonfatal falls were treated in emergency rooms that year. Younger people are not immune to falls either. Falls are the leading cause of nonfatal home injury for children up to the age of 14. Here are several simple tips to make our homes safer.

  • Remove any clutter that could cause someone to trip. Toys, both children’s and pet’s, electrical wires, and even small furniture (like ottomans) can be tripping hazards.
  • As far as furniture goes, make sure there is ample room for walking. Remove or arrange furniture as is necessary for your space.
  • Stairways are often hazardous. Make sure to install hand railings that run the full length of the stairs. Install adequate lighting. Small LED stick-on lights are great for nighttime. Keep all clutter off stairs. Keep a basket to drop in items as you go up or down.
  • The LED lights I mentioned above are also wonderful to illuminate hallways and bathrooms for both seniors and children at night.
  • If you have any small rugs, always use double-sided tape to securely adhere the rug to the floor. If you have seniors using walking aids, such as canes or walkers, it’s probably best to remove rugs altogether.
  • Grab bars next to the toilet and in the shower are very helpful. Consider a shower chair for seniors that are unsteady on their feet. It’s great to provide as much independence for our loved ones as possible. Install a raised toilet seat. This may not come to mind immediately, but as I have had both my knees replaced, I can tell you it is a godsend. It’s hard to use a very low toilet when you have limited knee flexibility. Always use nonslip mats in bath and shower.
  • Use baby gates at the top and bottom of your stairs for little ones’ protection. There are also many devices on the market for securing cabinets and child-proofing knobs on stoves.

With a little care and thought, we can prevent falls in the home and allow our senior loved ones to remain as independent as possible. Check out www.nsc.org– the National Safety Council- for more tips on safety in and out of the home.

KATHY WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO