Check for
Safety
A Home Fall Prevention
Checklist for Older Adults
2017
Stopping Elderly Accidents,
Deaths & Injuries
Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control
Contact your local community or senior
center for information on exercise, fall prevention
programs, or options for improving home safety.
For additional information on fall prevention, visit
go.usa.gov/xN9XA
Use this checklist to find and fix hazards in your home.
STAIRS & STEPS
(INDOORS & OUTDOORS)
Are there papers, shoes, books, or other
objects on the stairs?
Always keep objects o the stairs.
Are some steps broken or uneven?
Fix loose or uneven steps.
Is there a light and light switch at the top and
bottom of the stairs?
Have an electrician put in an overhead
light and light switch at the top and
bottom of the stairs. You can get light
switches that glow.
Has a stairway light bulb burned out?
Have a friend or family member change
the light bulb.
Is the carpet on the steps loose or torn?
Make sure the carpet is firmly attached
to every step, or remove the carpet and
attach non-slip rubber treads to the stairs.
Are the handrails loose or broken? Is there a
handrail on only one side of the stairs?
Fix loose handrails, or put in new ones.
Make sure handrails are on both sides of
the stairs, and are as long as the stairs.
When you walk through a room, do you have to
walk around furniture?
Ask someone to move the furniture so
your path is clear.
Do you have throw rugs on the floor?
Remove the rugs, or use double-sided
tape or a non-slip backing so the rugs
won’t slip.
Are there papers, shoes, books, or other
objects on the floor?
Pick up things that are on the floor.
Always keep objects o the floor.
Do you have to walk over or around wires or
cords (like lamp, telephone, or extension cords)?
Coil or tape cords and wires next to the
wall so you can’t trip over them. If needed,
have an electrician put in another outlet.
Are the things you use often on high shelves?
Keep things you use often on the lower
shelves (about waist high).
Is your step stool sturdy?
If you must use a step stool, get one with a bar
to hold on to. Never use a chair as a step stool.
FLOORS
KITCHEN
BEDROOMS
BATHROOMS
Is the light near the bed hard to reach?
Place a lamp close to the bed where
it’s easy to reach.
Is the path from your bed to the bathroom
dark?
Put in a nightlight so you can see
where you’re walking. Some nightlights
go on by themselves after dark.
Is the tub or shower floor slippery?
Put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick
strips on the floor of the tub or shower.
Do you need some support when you get
in and out of the tub, or up from the toilet?
Have grab bars put in next to and
inside the tub, and next to the toilet
.
