Preventing Falls at Home: A Checklist for Families

A fall can change an older person's life: a broken hip, a loss of confidence, and the start of reduced independence. Many falls happen at home, during everyday activities. Many can be prevented.

Walk through the house with this checklist.

Throughout the house

• Remove loose rugs and mats, or secure them with non-slip backing
• Clear clutter, wires and cables from walkways
• Make sure lighting is bright, with switches easy to reach
• Keep frequently used items at waist-to-shoulder height to avoid climbing or bending low
• Arrange furniture to leave clear walking paths

Bathroom (the highest-risk room)

• Non-slip mats inside and outside the shower or bathing area
• Grab rails next to the toilet and in the bathing area
• A shower chair or bathing stool
• A raised toilet seat if getting up is difficult
• Wipe up wet floors straight away

Bedroom

• A night light, or a lamp reachable from bed
• Bed at a height where feet rest flat on the floor when sitting on the edge
• Sit on the edge of the bed for a moment before standing, especially at night, to avoid dizziness
• A phone within reach

Stairs

• Sturdy handrails on both sides if possible
• Good lighting at the top and bottom
• Keep stairs clear of objects
• Mark the edges of steps with contrasting tape if they're hard to see

Kitchen

• Keep everyday items within easy reach
• Avoid standing on stools or chairs to reach high shelves

Outside

• Watch for uneven paths, wet surfaces and steps at entrances
• Add lighting and handrails where needed

Personal factors to check

• Footwear: well-fitting shoes with a firm grip, not loose slippers
• Eyesight: regular eye tests
• Medications: some medicines cause dizziness or drowsiness. Ask the doctor to review them, especially if there have been falls or near-falls.
• Blood pressure: dizziness on standing up should be checked
• Continence: rushing to the toilet at night is a common time for falls

Strength and balance matter most

Home changes help, but strength and balance training is one of the most effective ways to prevent falls. A physiotherapist can assess fall risk and design a safe programme.

If someone falls

Don't rush to get them up. Check for injury. If they're hurt or can't get up easily, call for help. A physiotherapist can teach a safe way to get up from the floor.