Staying safe around the home becomes increasingly important as you get older, especially if you are living independently.
Slips and trips are among some of the most common accidents involving seniors, so minimising the risk to your health is vital.
We here at ALS Stairlifts have put together a guide on how to minimise the risk of injury, in and around your home.
Safety Proof Your Home
Ensuring your home is clear of anything that could be potentially harmful to you is the best way to avoid injury.
Making sure that all hallways, paths, and stairs are clear of any objects you could trip over helps minimise the risk of falling around the house. It also means you’re less likely to injure yourself on an object if you do happen to fall.
Keeping all walkways well-lit is also of paramount importance, so you’re able to see if there are any trip hazards in front of you.
Always use hand rails and banisters when using stairs, this will reduce the risk of you falling up or down the stairs.
It should also be noted that you should never place rugs at the top or bottom of your stairs, as this can be very dangerous if you trip over it.
Prevent Falls
Knowing exactly how to prevent falls around the home can go some way to ensuring that you don’t have any accidents.
If you use a walker or walking stick, ensure you use it as often as possible when moving around the house. You should also try to avoid holding onto objects that are not secure as they may slip and cause you to fall.
It’s important to never rush around the house. You increase the danger of falling or slipping when you are walking at a faster pace than normal.
Heaters
Ensuring that heaters are used in a safe manner can prevent serious injury and fires. If you have any electric heaters in your house, it is important to ensure that they are at least 3 feet away from any flammable material.
Electric heaters should always be turned off when you leave a room and be kept away from things such as bedding, furniture and curtains.
Bathroom Hazards
The bathroom can be a potentially dangerous place for people of all ages. It is possible to minimise the risks that are posed by putting a few simple measures in place.
Installing grab bars near the toilet and in the shower can make getting around the bathroom much easier, it also makes it considerably safer when using the shower.
Placing rubber mats in the bath and shower area is also useful, as the risk of slipping whilst washing is reduced massively.
Keep Emergency Numbers Handy
If you ever do end up in an emergency situation it is important to have a list of emergency phone numbers close to each phone in your home.
These numbers should be legible and written large enough for you to be able to read if you are in distress.
If you are beginning to struggle with limited mobility, a stair lift could help minimise the risk to your safety when climbing up and down the stairs.
We here at ALS Stairlifts, can give you expert advice to help you decide which stair lift would be the best fit for you needs and home. Don’t hesitate to contact a member of the team today.