Home Safety

Start with the bathroom

• Install grab bars beside the toilet and inside the shower or tub
• Use a non-slip mat inside the tub and a non-slip rug outside it
• Consider a shower chair and a handheld shower head
• Raise the toilet seat height if standing up is a struggle
• Keep a nightlight on the route between bed and bathroom
• Never rely on a towel rail or soap dish as a grab handle

Clear the walking paths

• Remove or firmly tape down loose rugs and runners
• Route electrical cords along walls, never across walkways
• Keep hallways and stairs completely clear of stored items
• Check that stair handrails are secure on both sides where possible
• Mark the top and bottom step with contrasting tape if vision is poor
• Make sure furniture leaves a clear, wide path through each room

Get the lighting right

• Add nightlights in the bedroom, hallway and bathroom
• Put a lamp and a phone within reach of the bed
• Replace dim bulbs with brighter ones throughout
• Fit motion-sensor lights at entrances and on stairs
• Keep a working torch somewhere it can be found in the dark

Make the kitchen manageable

• Move everyday items to waist height — no stools, no reaching up
• Never use a chair as a step
• Consider an automatic shut-off device for the stove
• Keep a fire extinguisher accessible and check it works
• Check the fridge regularly for expired food
• Make sure pot handles turn inward, away from the walkway

Prepare for an emergency

• Post emergency numbers in large print by every phone
• Consider a medical alert device or pendant
• Make sure a trusted neighbor or relative holds a spare key
• Keep an up-to-date medication list where responders will find it
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms every month
• Agree a daily check-in routine with family

What we look at during the free assessment