Home safety is something most people pay attention to when they have children at home. Once the kids are gone safety just doesn’t seem like a huge issue anymore. Seniors, however, should pay close attention to safety issues because the consequences of a slip, fall, or other problem can be so severe.

Senior should care about safety in their home because it has a lot to do with their quality of life. This might not seem obvious at first but if you look a little closer you can see how staying safe means being able to do more. Avoiding injuries and accidents allows seniors to stay mobile, independent, and able to stay in their home for much longer.

For example, let’s look at what happens when you trip and take a fall. You could easily break a bone, get a concussion, or end up with bad bruising. Breaking bones is an especially large risk for seniors because even a simple break can cause long-term health problems. When a more severe break occurs, such as the hip, it can literally become a life threatening situation during the recovery process.

Seniors Safety Precautions

Let’s take a look at some of the basic safety precautions seniors should keep in mind:

Carpeting – You might not think of carpeting as a safety hazard but it can be. Thick, deep, or plush carpeting can make it difficult for those who use a walker or cane to be stable on their feet. The cane or walker can easily catch on the carpet, cause them to lose their balance, and lead to a fall. Or, if you have any trouble lifting your feet when walking or tend to shuffle your feet your shoes can catch on the carpeting as well.

Area rugs – These kinds of rugs can be especially dangerous because they are easy to trip over and they can easily slide around when you step on them. It’s best to avoid using area rugs if at all possible, but if you do have them be sure they have a non-slip backing or place a non-slip mat underneath them.

Fire hazards – Fire is especially dangerous for seniors because they are more likely to suffer from smoke inhalation and have difficulty getting out of the house if they have physical impairments or a medical condition. Keep flammable items, such as newspapers, magazines, curtains, and the like, away from fireplaces, heaters, and any other potential ignition source.

Bathrooms – Bathrooms are another area filled with safety issues. It’s easy to slip, trip, or fall so considering adding some simple safety features. These can include grab rails in the bathtub or the shower, a grab rail by the toilet, a plastic shower seat to sit on when showering, and secure non-slip rugs to absorb water and prevent slipping.

Other Often Overlooked Safety Issues

There are many other safety issues that are often overlooked. These may include:

Housekeeping – We all like to have a clean house to live in, but for seniors having a clean house improves their safety. Reducing clutter, rearranging furniture to create clear paths, and keeping walkways clear make it easier to move around the house. Dust and dirt can also lead to more health problems, especially if you have medical issues with your lungs or breathing.

Cooking – Cooking involves many things that can lead to injuries. Hot pans on the stove, water or other liquid spilled on the floor, or simply reaching over a hot burner on the stove are all examples of potential safety risks. You can reduce these risks by keeping hot pads close at hand when you’re working with a hot pan, wiping up spills right away, and wearing clothing with close fitting sleeves or short sleeves when you’re working around a hot stove.

Outdoors – There are other potential risks outdoors. Uneven sidewalks can make it easy to trip and fall, and in the wintertime ice and snow can be even more dangerous. If you are unsteady on your feet, use a walker, or use a cane, simply walking across your lawn can increase the chances of a trip or fall. Always watch where you’re walking carefully and avoid spots where the ground is uneven or otherwise difficult to walk on.

Being aware of safety issues does not mean being afraid, but it does mean looking around you and thinking in a different way. Things that might not have been a problem a few years ago might be a little different now. When you are aware of the seniors safety issues,  you go a long way toward preserving your health and your independence.