Hello World! Welcome Friends! Home purchases, renovations, and interior design decisions are typically made first and foremost with aesthetics and functionality in mind. Of course, we want our dream homes to look a certain way and to make our everyday lives as enjoyable as possible. However, if you have not also considered safety in the process, you could unwittingly be contributing to the risk that you, a family member, or a guest in your home will become injured in a slip-and-fall accident.
Room-by-Room: Lowering Fall Risk Throughout Your Home
Falls can occur in any room of your home, as well as in outdoor living areas and walkways. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of slip-and-fall injuries, making your entire home a safer space.
Kitchens
You can make your kitchen safer by ensuring floors stay clutter-free. Creating a separate, dedicated space for things like shoes and backpacks can improve both safety and the overall look of your kitchen.
Even without clutter, kitchen flooring can be hazardous when spills occur. Clean up all spills right away to reduce the risk of someone falling and becoming injured.
Staircases and Hallways
Unfortunately, many falls in the home occur on staircases or in interior hallways. It can be easy to allow shoes, toys, mail, and other items to accumulate on stairs. However, this can increase fall risk. Removing clutter from the floor and stair treads is a great first step toward making your home safer.
Staircases should have secure handrails. Ensuring both staircases and hallways are well lit can also be a valuable preventive measure.
If the surface of the stairs or hallway flooring is wood or tile, consider using non-slip strips to increase traction and decrease fall risk. Carpet should be secured to the floor. Small rugs can slip under feet easily, resulting in injuries; consider removing them to improve the safety of your flooring.
Bathrooms
As with the kitchen, be sure to clean up any spilled water in the bathroom as soon as possible. Using non-slip rugs or mats designed specifically for use in the bathroom can also make them safer spaces.
Bathtubs and showers can be inherently dangerous when their surfaces become wet and soapy. Grab bars mounted on the inside and outside the tub/shower space can help reduce the risk of falling.
Outdoor Spaces
Decks, patios, fire pits, gazebos, swimming pools, and other outdoor living spaces can be wonderful extensions of your living space! By taking some safety precautions, you can decrease fall risk and increase enjoyment of your yard and at-home amenities.
As is also true with the inside of your home, you can reduce the risk of someone falling outside by ensuring lighting is adequate. After all, when you can see where you are going, you are less likely to fall. Remove clutter from walkways, such as fallen branches, bicycles, and toys.
Check the concrete or other material used on driveways, walkways, and steps. Repair any cracked or broken spots promptly to ensure smooth walking surfaces. If you live in an area where winter snow and ice are possible, have ice melt or sand on hand in the winter months, and use it to make walkways less treacherous.
General Best Practices for Reducing Fall Risk
In addition to the living-area-specific suggestions above, you can also make your home a safer place by removing unnecessary furniture from high-traffic areas, where it could become a falling hazard. Similarly, keep power cords away from walkways to reduce the risk of tripping and falling.
You can also use anti-tip straps or braces to secure furniture and electronics to the wall, helping ensure that if you start to slip and reach for a dresser or cabinet, you will find the stability you needed and will not inadvertently pull the cabinet down with you.
Finally, wearing sensible shoes in your home can also prevent slip-and-fall accidents.
Simple Preventive Measures Can Make — and Keep — Your Home Safe
By taking some simple precautions like reducing clutter in your home, enhancing interior and exterior lighting, and evaluating flooring and safety railings, you can create a safer living environment for yourself, your loved ones, and your guests.
Author bio: Scott Marshall is the founder of Scott Marshall Injury Attorneys. He is an injury trial lawyer who has been representing injured clients since 1995. Marshall founded his law firm in 1997 and has attained an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. The AV rating is the highest rating for lawyers from the nation’s oldest, most prestigious lawyer rating service.
SOURCES
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-falls-prevention/preventing-falls-home-room-room
https://www.pettitlawoffice.com/blog/2018/august/avoid-these-safety-hazards-at-home-to-protect-yo/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358
©2024 The Dedicated House. All rights reserved. No part of this blog post may be used or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
What to Expect During Your Kitchen Renovation
How are Online Programs a Game Changer for Working Professionals
Staff Relocation: Tips for a Hassle-free Transition
How to Enhance Curb Appeal with Stylish Railing Options
What Are the Steps Involved in Buying a Home?
The Benefits of Hiring a Real Estate Broker for Your New Home
I’d love for you to join my email list! You’ll receive a notification straight to your inbox which will include links to my latest home project posts! Simply enter your address below.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
[…] Slip-and-Fall Hazards: Protecting Your Home and Family […]