Seniors:
10 Ways to Make Your Home Safer
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| 5. | Stairwells can often be an area of
concern. There are several steps to make your stairwell safer. First, make sure
to have plenty of light (see #2 above). Second, install a handrail on both sides if
possible. Thirdly, if they are not carpeted, install safety treads on each step to ensure
maximum traction. Lastly, if getting up and down the steps is difficult or impossible due
to some form of disability, consider installing a stair lift. This is a chair that glides
along a track mounted to the stair treads. A chair lift can allow seniors to stay in a
two-story home much longer than they might have thought possible. |
| 6. | Replace exterior floodlights with motion
sensor light fixtures. Doing so will add peace of mind when entering your home
late night. Motion lights also deter would be criminals. |
| 7. | Install deadbolt locks on all exterior
doors. Be sure and use 3" screws when installing the locks to allow the
screws to go deep into the framing of the door. Improperly installed deadbolts can be
easily kicked-in by would be criminals. (There are remote control locks available for
those that have trouble turning keys due to arthritis.) |
| 8. | If you live alone, consider purchasing
an emergency response system. Here's how it works: You wear a pendant around your
neck or on your wrist. In the event of an emergency (i.e. a fall), you simply press the
button and the unit will dial for help. Many people have fallen only to be discovered
several hours or days later because they couldn't get to the phone. |
| 9. | Consider installing motion sensor light
switches. These devices replace your existing switches. They work by sensing your
motion in the room and turn the lights on and off accordingly. They can be operated
manually as well. These items work well for people who use canes, walkers, or wheelchairs. |
| 10. | Prepare yourself for the event of a fire. Install a smoke alarm with a 10-year lithium battery to make sure that it will work when needed. Be sure and add a fire extinguisher there is a new item developed by a firefighter that is a smoke detector and a flashlight. If smoke is detected, the alarm sound and the light comes on enabling you to be found by firefighters. Carbon monoxide detectors should also be placed on each level of the home. |