PREVENTING FALLS
Learn about the many changes you can make to your home to better ensure your safety.
Ensure you have good lighting, with light switches at the top, and bottom of the stairs.
Consider using motion-activated lights that plug into electrical outlets, so that they automatically turn on when you walk past them, this will help to illuminate rooms, bathrooms, stairwells, and pathways.
Place night lights and light switches close to your bed.
Mount grab bars near toilets and on both the inside and outside of your tub and shower.
Place non-slip mats, strips, or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet.
Remember to leave a light on in the bathroom at night or use a night light that turns on automatically in the dark.
Keep a flashlight by your bed in case the power goes out and you need to get up.
Place a landline or well-charged phone near your bed.
Keep frequently used pots, pans, and kitchen utensils in a place where they are easy to reach.
Clean up spills immediately and prepare food whilst seated to help prevent fatigue or loss of balance.
If you have steps leading to your front door, make sure they are not broken or uneven.
- Add non‐slip material to outdoor stairways
- Keep the lawn, deck, or porch areas clear of debris, such as fallen branches.
- Consider installing a grab bar near the front door to provide balance while you are locking or unlocking the door.
- Turn on your porch light at night and if you leave during the day but plan on returning home after dark.
In the winter, treat outdoor walkways with an ice melt product or sand to make them less slippery.
Ensure there are handrails on both sides of any stairs, and make sure they are secure. Hold the handrails when you go up or down stairs, even when you are carrying something. Don’t let anything you’re carrying block your view of the steps.
Keep areas where you walk tidy. Don’t leave books, papers, clothes, or shoes on the floor or stairs.
Check that all carpets are fixed firmly to the floor, so they won’t slip. Put no-slip strips, which you can buy at any hardware store, on tile and wooden floors.
Don’t use throw rugs or small area rugs.
- Keep electrical cords near walls and away from walking paths.
- Don’t let your cat or dog trip you. Know where your pet is whenever you’re standing or walking.
- Keep a list of emergency numbers in large print near each landline phone and save them under “favourites” on your mobile phone.
If you have fallen in the last 12 months, and are concerned that you may fall again, please discuss with your GP, or contact the NHS Falls Prevention Service.
Hounslow Council’s Stay Steady & Active can help you Identify risks and hazards in your home which may cause a slip, trip, or fall. The team visit your home and undertake an assessment to identify factors relating to yourself and the environment you live in, which can often be the cause of falling.
For further information or support, please:
Email: Steady.activ@hounslow.gov.uk
Telephone: 0208 583 3038
