Home Safety Essentials for Caregivers and Seniors
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2008/12/27 - Updated: 2025/12/01
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Carers - Caregivers - Related Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information provides practical guidance for family caregivers seeking to create safer living environments for individuals requiring assistance at home. The content is authoritative because it addresses a critical public health concern - falls rank as the seventh leading cause of death among people over 65 - and offers concrete preventive measures caregivers can implement immediately. The resource proves particularly useful for families managing home care situations, as it emphasizes foundational safety protocols like posting emergency numbers by every telephone, ensuring living spaces are on single levels when possible, and maintaining constant awareness of environmental hazards. The straightforward approach makes these safety strategies accessible to caregivers regardless of their experience level, offering tangible steps to reduce risks associated with falls from ladders, slips, and trips. This guidance serves seniors, people with disabilities, and their caregivers by translating awareness of home hazards into actionable precautions that can prevent serious injuries and potentially save lives - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
As a family caregiver, it is important to safe-proof your home. Falls are the seventh leading cause of death in persons over the age of 65. There are a variety of reasons for falls, such as falls from ladders or scaffolding, falls from slipping, tumbling or tripping.
Main Content
It is important to know the hazards and then take the necessary precautions and be constantly on alert. Here are some general safety tips to help reduce or eliminate hazards in your home.
- 1. Emergency telephone numbers and your address should be posted by each telephone.
- 2. Ideally the home or living area should be on one level, and preferably the ground level. Stairs are a big danger for elderly people.
- 3. Inside and outside door handles and locks should be easy to operate. Lever-action handles are easier to operate rather than round knobs.
- 4. Install at least one stairway handrail that extends beyond the first and last steps.
- 5. Remove any furniture that is not needed. Avoid clutter.
- 6. All remaining furniture should be stable and without sharp corners, to minimize the effects of a fall.
- 7. Remove throw rugs, sharp objects and clutter.
- 8. Place carpet or safety grip strips on stairs.
- 9. Keep the layout of furniture and pathways the same.
- 10. Make sure halls are three feet wide and six to eight feet high.
- 11. Make sure chair seats are twenty inches high.
- 12. Make sure all rooms have adequate lighting. In addition, use automatic night lights in every room.
- 13. Develop and practice a fire-escape plan. Keep clear the fire escape routes.
- 14. Place a smoke alarm in every bedroom and on every floor.
- 15. Place a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and bedroom. Make sure it is in date.
- 16. The water heater thermostat is set at 120 degrees F or lower.
- 17. Medications are stored in a safe place.
- 18. Keep several flashlights (and back-up batteries) on hand in case of a power failure. Do not use candles as they are a fire hazard.
- 19. Never use a chair or a box in place of sturdy ladder.
- 20. Do not have an electric lamp cord trailing across the floor. Have additional base plugs installed so long cords are not necessary.
- 21. Wear nonslip, low-heeled shoes or slippers that fit snugly. Don't walk around in stocking feet.
- 22. Consider putting a bench or stool in the shower.
- 23. Watch your alcohol intake. More than two drinks per day can cause unsteadiness.
- 24. Stand up slowly to avoid unsteadiness.
- 25. Have your hearing and eyesight tested. Inner ear problems can affect balance.
It is a good idea to regularly check your house for hazards. Make sure you have a well stocked first aid kit in a handy place in your home.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The reality of home caregiving demands more than good intentions - it requires systematic vigilance and practical knowledge. While these safety tips may seem elementary, their consistent application addresses the gap between recognizing danger and preventing it. For the millions of family caregivers navigating this responsibility, often without formal training, such foundational guidance transforms abstract concern into concrete action, making the difference between a secure home environment and one where preventable accidents compromise health and independence - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.