Slip and Fall Prevention Tips For Your Home

From poor lighting to cluttered walkways, a range of slip and fall hazards exist around your home. As you think about the safety of your property, address the following areas.

Clutter

Objects strewn about the living room, hallways, garage and yard are more than a visual nuisance – they create significant trip hazards. To reduce clutter, remove anything you no longer use or need. Keep other items organized and stored away from where people walk.

Space Arrangement

Even with physical clutter out of the way, living spaces can still have several other trip and slip hazards. You’re advised to keep your eyes peeled for:

• Electrical Cords: Keep them closer to the wall and away from walking paths.
• Furniture Locations: Space your tables and seating to allow for easier movement.
• Heights: While you want to keep objects off the floor, you can also store them too high. Avoid placing items where someone needs to use a ladder or chair to reach.
• Lighting: Ensure all rooms are adequately lit. Dim or uneven lighting can obscure objects and furniture, especially for those with poor eye sight.
• Rugs: Add non-skid backing to keep rugs from bunching and causing someone to trip over an edge.
• Pathways: Make sure anyone entering your home can clearly maneuver the space.
• Slippery Surfaces: Consider adding non-slip mats or textured flooring to certain areas, including the shower and kitchen.

Also have a plan in place to address any spills that happen in your home. Otherwise, having a wet, slippery floor can further increase fall risks.

Don’t Forget About the Outdoors

The yard, garage, driveway and shed may harbor additional slip, trip and fall hazards. In these locations:

• Limit uneven surfaces, which can increase trip risks.
• Keep all areas sufficiently lit, especially near doorways and steps.
• Older adults should install handrails and grab bars to improve balance.
• Regularly check the stability of all stairs, walkways and areas like porches and patios, making repairs as soon as possible.
• Avoid leaving tools, supplies and piles of debris around your property.
• Routinely rake leaves, remove branches from your grounds and clean up clutter.

Additional Factors

To further reduce slip and fall risks:

• Make sure no one walks across a recently washed floor until it’s fully dry.
• Install motion-activated lighting, especially along walkways.
• Consider footwear with a textured outsole to decrease trip risks.
• If you need to use a ladder, keep it secure and have a spotter.

If a guest slips, trips or falls on your property, you can be held responsible as the homeowner. To make sure you have sufficient coverage to anticipate these incidents, review your policy with us today.