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To prevent falls by elderly residents, the
Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas
suggests the following tips to make homes
safer.
Living room
- Make sure a light can be turned on
without walking into a dark room.
- Keep lamp, extension and phone cords out
of the flow of traffic.
- Passageways should be free from clutter,
including papers and furniture.
- Curtains and furniture must be at least
12 inches from baseboard or portable
heaters to prevent fire.
- Carpets must lie flat on the floor. Area
rugs usually are too slippery.
Kitchen
- Stove controls must be easy to see and
use.
- Loose-fitting clothing, towels and
curtains must be kept away from burners
and the oven to prevent fires.
- Regularly used items should not require
climbing in order to reach them.
- A stepstool should be sturdy and in good
repair.
Bedrooms
- Smoke detectors should be close to where
people are sleeping.
- Lights should be accessible without
having to walk into a dark room.
- Lamp or light switches should be within
easy reach of the bed.
- Telephones should be within easy reach
of the bed.
- A light should be left on at night
between the bed and the bathroom.
- Curtains should be at least 12 inches
away from a portable heater.
Bathroom
- Showers and tubs should have a non-skid
surface when wet. Use a bathmat, decals or
abrasive strips.
- A sturdy grab bar should be installed in
shower and tub area.
- The bathroom floor should have a
non-slip surface.
- The toilet should be easy to get on and
off.
- Hot water temperature should be 120
degrees or lower.
Outdoors
- Outside steps should have sturdy
handrails on both sides.
- There should be sufficient lighting
outside the door.
- Steps should be in good repair.
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