This document provides safety tips for making a senior's home safer. It recommends having an emergency exit plan and calling the fire department for assistance. Key areas to address include keeping hallways and stairs well-lit; removing scatter rugs or adding non-skid backing; installing grab bars, night lights, smoke detectors and slip-resistant surfaces; and checking electrical cords, water temperature, medications and more. The goal is to identify everyday hazards seniors may face and make adjustments to better suit their mobility and abilities as they age.

1. America’s Choice In Homecare! Safety for
Have a
Plan Seniors at
Home
• Have an emergency exit plan and an Making Your
alternative plan in case of fire. If the Loved One’s Home Safe
older person has a disability, call the
local fire department and have them
give you some stickers for the win-
dows.
• Up to 24 Hour Care
You may want to review some of these
• Meal Preparation
issue with your loved one & call the clos-
est Visiting Angels agency to assist you • Light Housekeeping
in making your loved one’s home safer
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Solution . . . A guide for family, friends
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Making the home safer makes your life easier!
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2. A Safe Home for Seniors Begins Here!
A Guide For Family, Friends & Loved Ones To Making Home Life Safer.
The purpose of this pamphlet is to Take a Walk Through The House • Use slip-resistant decals or non-skid
better educate and point out the mats in the tub or shower.
everyday areas of concern that • Keep all areas of the home, including
each of us, as healthy adults, take hallways and stairs, well-lit, but free from • Install grab bars in the bathtub and by
for granted. glare. the toilet; be sure the screws go di-
rectly into the wall studs, so they stay
What may not be an obstacle to • Remove scatter rugs, or attach a nonskid securely in place.
you may be to your elder loved backing to them.
one. • Check to be sure that extension cords
• Reduce the risk of falling on uncarpeted are not overloaded & are clear of
We will review areas of the home floors by ensuring that they are not slip- walkways.
that should be addressed to better pery. Do not use any gloss polish.
suit the mobility and agility limita- • Install smoke detectors on every floor
tions we can all experience as we • Use night lights in the bedroom, hall- of the home and test them monthly.
age. ways, kitchen and bathrooms.
• Destroy out-of-date medications and
• Keep the stove area in the kitchen free of those which are no longer being used.
towels, paper towels, napkins, curtains,
and other things that might catch fire. • Place a telephone in the bedroom.
Post emergency numbers by all tele-
• Remove all newspapers & magazines phones.
from the kitchen counter areas.
• Keep space heaters away from flam-
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, mable materials, and be sure the room
and teach everyone of age to use it. is well ventilated.
• Inspect electrical cords for fraying or • A three-pronged plug should be used
cracking; be sure they are placed away in a three hole outlet, or an adapter
from walking paths, but not under carpet should be used.
or furniture, where they could present a
fire hazard. • Always turn off heating pads before an
older person goes to sleep.
• Set the hot water temperature at 115
degrees or below on the water heater.