Thanks to homecare and other services, more and more seniors enjoy the independence of living in their homes for longer periods of time. Unfortunately, this independence can also put them at risk as their senses start failing them and they become vulnerable to accidents around the home. As a friend or family member, there are many basic precautions you can take to ensure that their living spaces are safe.

Home Safety Tips for Seniors

Follow these home safety tips to ensure your senior loved one avoids harm in every area of his or her home:

• Install grab-bars in bathtubs, showers, and next to the toilet to avoid falls. Non-skid mats on slippery surfaces will also help prevent falls.

• Keep stairways clear of all clutter, install bright lighting, and make sure handrails are stable.

• Other home safety tips for seniors are making sure towels and curtains are nowhere near the stove and that heavier objects such as pots and pans are stored at waist level.

• All sharp utensils such as knives and other cutlery should be stored in kitchen racks.

• Seniors should keep an easy-to-reach lamp and a cordless phone close to the bed for emergencies.

• Ensure that the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

• Inspecting the carpet is another important home safety tip for seniors. Loose or worn carpeting is a common cause of falls. Ensure that all rugs have a rubber, slip-resistant backing.

• Make sure all medications are clearly labeled, conveniently located, and not expired.

• Seniors should keep a large-print copy of emergency phone numbers next to every phone in the home.

• Telephone, lamp, and extension cords stretched across walkways are accidents waiting to happen. Arrange cords safely out of the way and ensure that extension cords are not overloaded to avoid a fire.

• Other home safety tips for seniors to prevent falls are to rearrange protruding furniture, remove clutter from walkways, and ensure there is adequate lighting.

• Give you and your loved one peace of mind by using a medical alert service that enables him or her to request immediate help simply by pushing a button.

Your senior loved one may have additional hazards in his or her home, so the best way to start "senior-proofing" the house is to sit down with him or her and make a list of all the safety precautions that need to be taken. Getting your loved one’s input is crucial because you may be overlooking dangerous items that he or she is encountering on a daily basis.