CDCC ENT E RS FOR D ISE ASE C O NT ROL

AND PR E VE NT IO N

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESCenters for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

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A Home Fall PreventionChecklist for Older Adults

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Centers for Disease Control and PreventionJeffrey P. Koplan, MD, MPH, Director

National Center for Injury Prevention and ControlMark L. Rosenberg, MD, MPP, Director

Division of Unintentional Injury PreventionChristine M. Branche, PhD, Director

AuthorsJudy A. Stevens, PhD

Sarah J. Olson, MS, CHES

This checklist is a publication of the National Centerfor Injury Prevention and Control of the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention.

Production services were provided by the staff of theOffice of Health Communications, National Centerfor Injury Prevention and Control.

October 1999

Each year, thousands of olderAmericans fall at home. Many ofthem are seriously injured, andsome are disabled. In 1996, morethan 8,500 people over age 65 diedbecause of falls.

Falls are often due to hazardsthat are easy to overlook but easyto fix. This checklist will help youfind and fix those hazards in yourhome.

The checklist asks about hazardsfound in each room of your home.For each hazard, the checklist tellsyou how to fix the problem. At theend of the checklist, you will findother tips for preventing falls.

FFFFFalls at Homealls at Homealls at Homealls at Homealls at Home

FloorsFloorsFloorsFloorsFloors

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Look at the floor in each room.Look at the floor in each room.Look at the floor in each room.Look at the floor in each room.Look at the floor in each room.

When you walk through a room,do you have to walk aroundfurniture?

Ask someone to move the furnitureso your path is clear.

Do you have throw rugs on thefloor?

Remove the rugs or use double-sidedtape or a non-slip backing so the rugswon’t slip.

Are papers, magazines, books,shoes, boxes, blankets, towels,or other objects on the floor?

Pick up things that are on the floor.Always keep objects off the floor.

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Do you have to walk over oraround cords or wires (like cordsfrom lamps, extension cords, ortelephone cords)?

Coil or tape cords and wires next tothe wall so you can’t trip over them.Have an electrician put in anotheroutlet.

Stairs and StepsStairs and StepsStairs and StepsStairs and StepsStairs and StepsLook at the stairs you use bothLook at the stairs you use bothLook at the stairs you use bothLook at the stairs you use bothLook at the stairs you use bothinside and outside your home.inside and outside your home.inside and outside your home.inside and outside your home.inside and outside your home.

Are papers, shoes, books, or otherobjects on the stairs?

Pick up things on the stairs. Alwayskeep objects off the stairs.

Are some steps broken or uneven?

Fix loose or uneven steps.

Are you missing a light overthe stairway?

Have a handyman or an electricianput in an overhead light at the topand bottom of the stairs.

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Has the stairway light bulbburned out?

Have a friend or family memberchange the light bulb.

Do you have only one light switchfor your stairs (only at the top orat the bottom of the stairs)?

Have a handyman or an electricianput in a light switch at the top andbottom of the stairs. You can get lightswitches that glow.

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Are the handrails loose or broken?Is there a handrail on only oneside of the stairs?

Fix loose handrails or put in newones. Make sure handrails are on bothsides of the stairs and are as long asthe stairs.

Is the carpet on the steps looseor torn?

Make sure the carpet is firmlyattached to every step or remove thecarpet and attach non-slip rubbertreads on the stairs.

KitchenKitchenKitchenKitchenKitchenLook at your kitchen and eatingLook at your kitchen and eatingLook at your kitchen and eatingLook at your kitchen and eatingLook at your kitchen and eatingarea.area.area.area.area.

Are the things you use often onhigh shelves?

Move items in your cabinets. Keepthings you use often on the lowershelves (about waist high).

Is your step stool unsteady?

Get a new, steady step stool witha bar to hold on to. Never use achair as a step stool.

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BedroomsBedroomsBedroomsBedroomsBedroomsLook at all your bedrooms.Look at all your bedrooms.Look at all your bedrooms.Look at all your bedrooms.Look at all your bedrooms.

Is the light near the bed hard toreach?

Place a lamp close to the bed whereit is easy to reach.

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Is the path from your bed to thebathroom dark?

Put in a night-light so you can seewhere you’re walking. Some night-lights go on by themselves after dark.

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BathroomsBathroomsBathroomsBathroomsBathroomsLook at all your bathrooms.Look at all your bathrooms.Look at all your bathrooms.Look at all your bathrooms.Look at all your bathrooms.

Is the tub or shower floor slippery?

Put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tubor shower.

Do you have some support whenyou get in and out of the tub orup from the toilet?

Have a handyman or a carpenterput in a grab bar inside the tuband next to the toilet.

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Other ThingsOther ThingsOther ThingsOther ThingsOther ThingsYYYYYou Can Do toou Can Do toou Can Do toou Can Do toou Can Do toPrevent FPrevent FPrevent FPrevent FPrevent Fallsallsallsallsalls

Exercise regularly. Exercise makes youstronger and improves your balanceand coordination.

Have your doctor or pharmacist lookat all the medicines you take, evenover-the-counter medicines. Somemedicines can make you sleepy ordizzy.

Have your vision checked at leastonce a year by an eye doctor. Poorvision can increase your risk offalling.

Get up slowly after you sit or liedown.

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Wear sturdy shoes with thin, non-slipsoles. Avoid slippers and runningshoes with thick soles.

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Improve the lighting in your home.Use brighter light bulbs (at least60 watts). Use lamp shades or frostedbulbs to reduce glare.

Use reflecting tape at the top andbottom of the stairs so you can seethem better.

Paint doorsills a different color toprevent tripping.

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Other Safety TOther Safety TOther Safety TOther Safety TOther Safety TipsipsipsipsipsKeep emergency numbers in largeprint near each phone.

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Put a phone near the floor in case youfall and can’t get up.

Think about wearing an alarm devicethat will bring help in case you falland can’t get up.

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For more information contact:

The National Center for Injury Prevention and ControlDivision of Unintentional Injury Prevention4770 Buford Highway, NE, Mailstop K-63

Atlanta, GA 30341

www.cdc.gov/ncipc

www.cdc.gov/safeusa