Safety Begins at Home Janet Valente, Ed.D. FACS Program Development Specialist Pamela R. Turner, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Extension Housing Specialist
...in the Bathroom T he bathroom is filled with potential hazards because of the presence of water that makes surfaces slippery. Additionally, medications are often stored in the bathroom. Avoid poisoning by keeping over-the-counter medications and supplements in closed original containers out of reach of children. If a family member has mobility limitations, getting in and out of the bathtub or using the toilet can lead to a fall when proper support is not available. Inadequate lighting can lead to falls or even medication errors. If appropriate water temperature is not maintained, contact with hot water can contribute to burns. Provide good lighting Inadequate lighting in the bathroom makes personal care tasks more difficult. A poorly lit room can contribute to falls and errors in reading medication labels. Improve the lighting in your bathroom by making some simple changes. Keep a flashlight by the bedside to light the way to the bathroom. Install night lights that automatically turn on as the room darkens. Use the maximum wattage bulb that the fixture will safely accommodate. Avoid glare by using soft white bulbs. Consider using a glow-in-the-dark door knob cover. Install illuminating wall switches or switch plates. Store bathroom chemicals and medicines in original containers out of reach of children. Avoid slips, trips and falls The bathroom is filled with hard surfaces that can be dangerous. These surfaces can become very slippery when wet and soapy, creating a safety hazard. Falls in the bathroom are quite common. Minimize the risk of falling by making safety modifications in the bathroom. Install grab bars to hold onto when getting into and out of the bathtub or shower, or off of the toilet. If you have difficulty getting on and off the toilet, use an elevated toilet seat or higher toilet. Purchase a bath chair or bench to eliminate climbing in and out of the tub. Install a wall mounted seat or waterproof bath seat if you have difficulty with prolonged standing in the shower.
Avoid slips, trips and falls (continued) Purchase a showerhead that allows you to remove it from the mount (hand-held). Use a bathtub sidewall cushion to soften the hard tub edge and provide a non-slip surface. Pad the faucet with a faucet cushion. Use a non-slip mat or adhesive safety strips inside the bathtub and shower. Use shower curtain liners made from heavy plastic. Keep soap and shampoo at eye level within reach. Avoid using bath oils in the bathtub. Wear non-slip footwear in the bathroom. Use non-slip rugs and mats to catch drips while bathing. Store and use all electrical appliances, such as shavers and hair dryers, safely away from the sink. Do not use portable electric space heaters in the bathroom. Allow water to empty out of tub/shower before exiting. Water at 140º F can burn skin in as little as 5 seconds. Protect yourself from burns According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 3,800 injuries and over 30 deaths occur in the home each year due to hot water burns. Most burns can be prevented if the water is a safe temperature. Check your water by: Knowing how hot your tap water is. Test the temperature with a bath or candy thermometer. Lowering the temperature of your hot water heater. The suggested setting is 120º F or a medium setting. Turning the cold water in the bathtub on first and then mixing in warmer water until the temperature reaches around 100º F. Testing the bathwater before getting into the bathtub. Place your whole hand in the water and move it around the tub to check for hot spots. Installing an anti-scald device, pressure balancer, or temperature limiter. This device quickly reduces the flow of water to a trickle when hot tap water reaches an unsafe temperature. It can be placed in existing tub spouts, hand showers, and showerheads. Learn more at www.h2otstop.com.
...in the Bedroom The bedroom is often thought of as one of the safer places in the home. The emphasis for safety in this room begins with one essential element a working smoke detector. The smoke detectors should be located in the hallway outside of the bedrooms. It is important to have a telephone and flashlight located near the bed for use in the event of an emergency. As with other rooms in the house, adequate lighting, well-maintained flooring and clutter-free floors and furniture are critical to maintenance of safety. Furniture may also contribute to accidents. Low beds and chairs may be difficult to use. There may also be too much furniture in the room making the area hazardous and contributing to the potential for stubbed toes or trips and falls. Take a look around your bedroom What can you remove or change to help prevent injuries? Repair torn carpeting and uneven flooring. Remove throw rugs. If not possible to remove them, keep rugs out of high traffic areas and make certain rugs have a non-skid backing. Take some of the furniture out of your bedroom and arrange the remaining furniture to prevent tripping. Make sure there is plenty of room for you to walk around the bed. Furniture can be placed around the perimeter of the room to provide support for those who are unsteady on their feet. Don t run electrical cords under furniture and rugs. Keep them away from high traffic areas. Keep combustible items (clothing, curtains, bedding, etc.) at least 3 feet from portable heaters. It is best not to use a space heater in the bedroom because of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning risks. Get rid of the clutter and keep walkways clear. Trade in your very low or tall bed for a bed that is a good height for you. If possible, relocate your bedroom to the first floor of your home.
Add safety devices and tools to your bedroom Install a smoke detector on the ceiling outside your bedroom. Test it at least twice a year. A good time to do that is when you reset your clocks. Add a table by your bed that is large enough to hold a phone, lamp and other important items. Keep a working lamp and phone on the bedside table. Post emergency numbers and your address next to the phone. Plug a night light into an outlet to light your way to the bathroom after dark. Place a flashlight on the bedside table. Keep a sturdy arm chair in the bedroom. This provides a place to sit, if needed, while dressing. Always place reading materials on the bedside table and not on the floor. Practice fire safety Develop a fire escape plan by identifying two exits from every room. Start by selecting a safe spot just outside the home where the family will meet after escaping. Make sure everyone in your home knows where to meet. Hold a fire drill at least twice each year, including one at night. If you live alone, let your neighbors know where your safe spot is located. Never smoke in bed! According to the Home Safety Council, 8 out of 10 fire deaths occur in home often at night when people are sleeping.
...in the Kitchen T he kitchen is the center of activity for most households. Safety in the kitchen requires attention to several issues including: assuring that you have adequate lighting, accessible storage, appropriate use of appliances and equipment; practicing fire prevention habits; and preventing hot water or equipment burns. Adequate lighting A well-lit kitchen is beneficial to people of all ages, but especially older adults. As people age, more light is needed to read labels and see sharp objects. The solution is not to add more overhead lighting, but to add lighting to the areas where food is prepared and cooked. Select light fixtures and bulbs that do not produce large amounts of glare. If a light bulb burns out, be sure to replace it immediately. Providing accessible and appropriate storage Many potentially dangerous items are stored in the kitchen within reach of children and out of reach of the elderly. By moving things around and making a few small changes you can greatly reduce safety risks in the kitchen. Start by: Keeping knives in knife rack or drawer. Closing drawers and cupboards after items are removed from them. Storing chemicals in original containers out of reach of children. Posting emergency numbers, including the Poison Control Hotline number next to every phone in your home. Placing medications within reach of adults, but out of reach of children. Leave in the original containers. Storing everyday dishes and food items on lower shelves so there s no need to use a step stool. Shelves need to be within easy reach - not too low so bending down is required and not too high so a step stool or reaching overhead is required. Not leaving things scattered about on the countertops and in work areas. A compact fluorescent light (CFL) will pay for itself in about 6 months. It uses 75% less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent light bulb.
Using appliances and equipment safely Stay in the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Turn off the heat on the stove if you must leave. When cooking, pan handles are turned away from other burners and the edge of Always cook oil or grease slowly, and watch carefully while it heats to avoid pan fire. the range. Hot pads (pot holders) are kept near the stove. Small appliances are unplugged when not in use. Flammable items such as dish towels, curtains, paper or plastic bags are at least 3 feet away from the stovetop and oven. Microwaves are operated only when there is food in them. A sturdy, stable stepladder or step stool is used rather than a chair to reach objects in overhead cabinets. Better yet, let someone help you with this task. When cooking, do not wear garments with long, loose sleeves. Avoid wearing slippers and open shoes when cooking. Preventing burns and falls Use long oven mitts to prevent burns. Floor mats have non-skid backing. Keep your water temperature at 120ºF. Test your smoke detector twice a year, when the time changes. Cooking is the number one cause of home fires.
...in the Stairway Make your home a safer place: install sturdy handrails on all stairways, no matter how many steps. Handrails should be on both sides of the steps and run slightly beyond the length of the steps. Homes often do not have handrails on both sides of the steps, especially along the steps at the front door. Only one-quarter of all houses with stairs have banisters or handrails on both sides of the stairs. Equally important is that stairs are well lit, especially if an older adult lives in or regularly visits the home. Consider these safety tips to protect everyone in your home: Install light fixtures in stairways, porches and other entrances into the home. Add light switches at the top and bottom of each stairway. Use the maximum strength of light bulb for the fixture. You can increase output without increasing wattage by using compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). These lights will last longer and cost less to use. Repair loose, broken and missing or worn steps. Make sure carpeting on steps is securely fastened and free of holes and frayed edges. Place safety strips on hard step surfaces. Keep stairway and steps clear of all objects. Never use stairs for temporary storage or for displaying decorative items. Make sure you can see the leading edge or nosing of each stair tread while walking down the stairs. Paint a contrasting color on the top front edge of all stairs and on doorsills so you can see the edges better. Make sure entrances do not have raised door thresholds Only one-quarter of all households with stairs have banisters or handrail on both sides of the stairs.
...with Fall Prevention Each year, thousands of older adults fall at home. It has been reported by healthcare professionals that one out of three persons over age 65 can be expected to have at least one fall each year. Those who fall one time are two to three times more likely to fall again. Injuries from falls can be severe enough to affect health and independence. Falls are a leading cause of death for persons over age 65. Approximately 25% of older adults who fall die within one year after the initial fall. In 2005, more than 15,800 Americans age 65 and over died due to a fall. Preventing falls in the home is important not only for older adults, but also for the entire family. Falls are often due to hazards in the home that are often overlooked but easy to fix. The primary problems are clutter and obstacles. You can reduce the likelihood of trips and falls by making some minor household modifications or changes in behaviors. Safety in your home begins with you identifying problems and removing hazards reducing the potential for falls. Solutions to clutter and obstacles Floors Keep pathways clear for ease of movement throughout your home. Remove all scatter or throw rugs. If you use rugs, purchase ones with a non-skid backing. For rugs without a non-skid backing, apply double sided tape to secure them to the floor. Pick up and remove papers, magazines, books, shoes, boxes, blankets, towels, or other clutter from the floor after you use them. Furniture Remove excess furniture from rooms. Arrange furniture to provide ease of movement throughout the room. Avoid placing low furniture, such as a coffee table, in front of the sofa. Electrical Cords Remove all extension cords. If you cannot remove them, be certain not to run the cords under rugs or across pathways. Never run telephone cords across areas with high traffic. Plug lamps in near the outlet to avoid using extension cords or stretching the cord across the pathway. Coil or wrap cords to keep them out of the way.
Store Things or Downsize Create additional storage. Mount small appliances under cupboards. Install inexpensive shelf organizers in cabinets. Store unused items out of the way. Identify unused items and donate them to friends, family or charity.
Home Safety Checklist Use this checklist to identify possible safety problems in your home. As you go from room to room, place a mark in the appropriate box. Go back over your checklist and identify three things you can do to make your home safer. List those three things in the bottom section of this checklist. Take action and make your home safer for you and your family. Bathroom Areas Yes No Doesn t Apply Are exposed hot water and drain pipes covered? Is the bathroom free of clutter so you can move around easily? Can the temperature of the bathroom space be adjusted? Is the bathroom free of portable electric or gas space heaters? Does the toilet have some type of sturdy support nearby (not a towel bar)? Is the bathroom well lighted? Are all the tubs/showers equipped with non-slippery surfaces? Do all tubs/showers have adequate grab bars or sturdy support (not a towel bar)? Are medicines clearly labeled? Are medicines kept out of reach of children? Are expired medicines thrown away? Are nightlights in the bathroom? Are hairdryers and other electrical equipment used away from water? Are razor blades stored and disposed of properly? Do throw rungs on the floor have non-skid backing? Are cleaning fluids stored out of reach of children or pets? Are traffic areas free from all cords? Is there a GFIC or grounded outlet?
Bedroom Areas Yes No Doesn t Apply Is a lamp/light switch within reach as you walk in? Is a lamp or light switch within reach of the bed? Is a night light in the room? Is a flashlight located next to the bed? Is a telephone located next to the bed? Are magazines and newspapers kept off the floor? Do throw rugs have non-skid backing? Is the bed sturdy? Is the bed a good height? Does the bed have an easy to grip head board? Are traffic areas free from all cords (electrical, cable)? Are electric blankets and heating pads in good condition? Kitchen Area Yes No Doesn t Apply Are traffic areas free from all cords (extension, phone)? Is there good lighting in the work areas (sink, stove)? Are frequently used items in/on an easy to reach place? Is a step stool or small ladder used to reach high shelves? Are the floors of a non-slick surface? Do all throw rugs have a non-skid backing? Are cleaners/insecticides stored away from food? Are cleaners/insecticides stored out of kids /pets reach? Are spills wiped up as soon as they occur or are noticed? Are towel racks located away from the stove/oven? Are cooking areas free of grease or extensive mess/clutter? Are grease containers kept away from stove? Is there a GFIC or ground fault circuit interrupter? (An outlet designed to protect against severe electrical shock.)
Living Room & Family Areas Yes No Doesn t Apply Are the floors a non-slippery surface? Do all throw rugs have non-skid backing? Are carpets firmly attached to the floor? Is the furniture in good repair and safe to use? Are the traffic areas free from all cords (electrical, cable)? Are hallways free from clutter? Are hallways well lighted? Does the room have lighting that doesn t produce glare? Is there a screen in front of the fireplace? Are electric/gas space heaters at least 3 feet away from curtains, furniture, and other combustible objects? Are electric/gas space heaters placed on non-flammable surfaces and out of traffic paths? Are electric and gas space heaters placed where they can t easily fall over? Are gas space heaters properly vented? Stairways & Porches Yes No Doesn t Apply Are the stairs well lighted? Do all indoor stairways have light switches at the top and bottom? Are there sturdy handrails for all steps and stairways? Are the steps and stairs in good condition? Are there sturdy guard rails on all porches and decks? Are porch area(s) in good condition? Are the stairways a non-slippery surface?
Other Areas Yes No Doesn t Apply Is the water temperature safe (120 F)? Is there sufficient light in every room? Are power cords/extension cords in good condition? Are locks present and secured on all windows? Windows are operable and not painted or nailed shut? Are doors operable and not blocked off? Are all electrical outlets used properly? (not overloaded) Outdoor Areas Yes No Doesn t Apply Is there lighting along walkways and by doors? Are walkways in good condition? Are driveways in good condition? Is the yard clear of debris such as glass, trash or boards? Is lawn mowed and landscaping maintained? Emergency Issues Yes No Doesn t Apply Is there a fire extinguisher present in the home? Is the fire extinguisher s inspection up-to-date? Are smoke detectors in the home? Is there a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in the home? Are emergency telephone numbers displayed by the phone? Remember, Safety Begins At Home!
References CDC (2008). Preventing Falls: How to develop community-based fall prevention programs for older adults. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Atlanta, GA. CDC (2009). Falls among older adults: An overview. Retrieved October 9, 2009, from http://cdc.gov/ homeandrecreation Safety/Falls/adultfalls.html Department of Health and Human Services (CDC) (2005). Check for safety: A home fall prevention checklist for older adults. MetLife Foundation. Goddard, M.C. & Valente, J.S. (1995). Safety begins at home. Injury prevention in the wellness lifestyle. A training guide. The University of Georgia, Family and Consumer Sciences Program Unit. Athens, GA. Guerette, P., Nakai, R., Verran, A., Somerville, N. (1992). Safety begins at home: A practical guide for professionals, older adults and their families. Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, University of Southern California. Home Safety Council (2008). Safe at Home. Preventing household dangers: A room-by-room guide. Home Safety Council (2009). www.mysafehome.org. Stevens, J. A. & Sogolow, E.D. (2008). Preventing Falls: How to develop community-based fall prevention programs for older adults. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rehabilitation Research & Training Center on Aging (1992). Safety begins at home: A practical guide for professionals, older adults and their families. Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, University of Southern California. Reviewers Sarah Kirby, Ph.D.; North Carolina State University Mary Lou Vergara, MSW, M.Div.; Atlanta Area Agency on Aging Anne Sweaney, Ph.D.; University of Georgia
3 Ways I am Going to Make My Home Safer Date Completed 1) 2) 3) Bulletin 1429 (HACE-E-79) Revised January 2014 The University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. UGA Extension offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender or disability. The University of Georgia is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action.