Brighter Stairs and Nightlights: Simple Ways to Prevent Falls at Home
Many falls at home happen on the way to the bathroom at night or on a staircase. Both are easy to improve with good light and a few small fixes. Here is a simple plan, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) home fall prevention checklist.
Light the Way at Night
Dim light makes it harder to see steps, cords and clutter. The CDC suggests a few easy habits:
- Put a lamp near your bed where you can reach it without getting up.
- Place a nightlight along the path from the bed to the bathroom. Some turn on by themselves after dark.
- Replace burned-out bulbs right away, especially in hallways and stairways.
Make Stairs Safer
Stairs deserve extra attention, indoors and out. The CDC checklist recommends these steps:
- Keep shoes, papers, books and other objects off the stairs.
- Fix loose or uneven steps.
- Install a light and switch at both the top and the bottom of the stairs. Glow-in-the-dark switches are available.
- Make sure carpet on the steps is firmly attached, or remove it and add non-slip rubber treads.
- Repair or replace loose or broken handrails, and put a handrail on both sides of the stairs, running the full length.
If you are not comfortable doing repairs yourself, ask a family member or a trusted, licensed handyman. Never climb on a ladder or chair to change a high bulb if you feel unsteady. Ask for help instead.
Clear the Floors
- Ask someone to move furniture so your walking paths are open.
- Remove throw rugs, or secure them with double-sided tape or a non-slip backing.
- Coil or tape cords against the wall rather than letting them cross the floor.
The CDC reports that falls cause most hip fracture hospitalizations among adults 65 and older, so these small changes are well worth the effort. For a room-by-room walk-through, see our fall prevention checklist.
If you have fallen, feel dizzy or unsteady, or worry about falling, tell your health care provider. They can look at medicines, vision and balance.
More on Seniors Tips
- A Room-by-Room Checklist to Help Prevent Falls at Home
- Bathroom Safety After 50: Simple Changes That Help Prevent Falls
