You make a home safer by walking through it room by room and removing everyday hazards. Brighten hallways and stairs, clear cords and clutter, secure or remove throw rugs, add solid handrails, and keep everyday kitchen items within easy reach. In the bathroom, install grab bars, use non-slip mats, and consider a shower chair or handheld showerhead. Keep a lamp, phone, and glasses beside the bed, mark the nighttime path to the bathroom, and revisit the checklist as strength, balance, routines, or health change.
Throughout the home
- Every hallway and stairway has good lighting — add plug-in night-lights where it's dim
- Pathways are clear: no cords stretched across walkways, no clutter on the floor
- Throw rugs are removed, or taped down with non-slip rug tape
- Sturdy, closed-toe, non-slip footwear is worn indoors (not socks, not floppy slippers)
- Handrails run along both sides of every staircase and feel solid when gripped
Entryway and stairs
- The front entrance is well lit, with a non-slip mat inside and outside the door
- Railings are secure — give them a firm shake; tighten or repair anything loose
- Stair treads have non-slip strips or carpet; edges are clearly visible
- Nothing is stored on the stairs, even "temporarily"
- Light switches are reachable at both the top and bottom of the stairs
Living room
- Favorite chairs are a proper height with sturdy arms (easy to get up from, hard to tip)
- Phone, lamp, and remote are within arm's reach of the favorite seat
- Lamp and TV cords are tucked against the wall, not crossing the room
- Coffee table and furniture create clear, wide walking paths
Kitchen
- Everyday items live at counter height — no step stools, no reaching high shelves
- A non-slip mat sits in front of the sink and stove
- Spills are wiped up right away (keep a towel handy, not across the room)
- There's a sturdy chair nearby for resting during longer cooking tasks
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773.270.2144Bedroom
- Lamp, phone, and glasses are within reach of the bed — no getting up in the dark
- A night-light marks the path from bed to bathroom
- The bed is a comfortable height: feet flat on the floor when sitting on the edge
- The floor around the bed is completely clear — no shoes, books, or cords
Bathroom — the highest-risk room in the house
- Grab bars are installed by the toilet and inside the shower/tub (towel racks don't count — they pull out of walls)
- Non-slip mats are inside the tub/shower and on the floor outside it
- A shower chair or bench is available if standing for a full shower is tiring
- A handheld showerhead makes bathing safer and easier
- Consider a raised toilet seat if getting up from a low seat is a struggle
Make it a habit, not a one-time project
- Revisit this list seasonally — and after any illness, hospital stay, or noticeable change in strength or balance.
- Talk to their doctor about any balance concerns, dizziness, or vision changes. (We're not medical professionals — anything health-related belongs in that conversation.)
- Keep floors clear week to week. This is where a little ongoing help pays for itself: our light housekeeping keeps walkways, laundry, and clutter under control, and our personal care assistants are trained in safe bathing and mobility support.
Want the printable version? Get the free guide by email — Fall-Proof Your Home: A Room-by-Room Safety Checklist — to keep, print, or share with family.