Home is where the heart is. Why is this saying so true? Your home is the main character in your story of life within which you raised your children and shared the experiences of life with your spouse. Home is where years of memories are kept safe. From the minute you walk through the door each day you find comfort in your home and feel safe and secure there. But does your home, full of these wonderful memories, possess hidden dangers that could increase your risk of falls?
Here are some simple tips that can keep you safe in your home:
- Remove throw rugs. These small rugs are tripping hazards as they are not secured to the floor. Consequently, it is easy to get your toe tangled in the edge, potentially causing a fall.
- Re-arrange cupboards and drawers so that the most frequently used items are easily within reach and not on the highest and/or lowest shelves. This would eliminate the need to use a step stool.
- Make sure that telephone and lights are easily within reach. This is especially true at night when getting up to use the bathroom.
- If your washer and dryer is in the basement, put the dirty laundry in a bag and throw it down the stairs, eliminating the need to negotiate stairs with a laundry basket.
- Consider hiring a handy man to install grab bars in your shower to offer additional support when getting in and out of the shower. Other suggestions to keep the shower safe would include purchasing a chair to sit on when showering and installing a hand held shower head.
- Make sure that clutter is minimal, so that all pathways in your home are clear.
- Keep a reacher by the front door, so that you are not bending over to pick up the paper in the morning.
So, consider making some of the above changes to keep you and your memories safe within your home and heart!
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