Is your home safe from falls?

Falls can happen anywhere, at home, at the store, and yes, even at a hospital or nursing home. According to the CDC, an older adult is treated in the ER every 18 seconds for a fall related injury. They can happen quickly and have tragic results.

Here are 10 tips to make your home safer for your family and visitors:

• Remove small throw rugs on smooth surfaces or tape down with carpet tape to insure lack of movement


• Install grab bars in the bathrooms to aid in mobility


• Keep items you use daily within reach to avoid overstretching and use a step stool for those items out of reach


• Choose footwear that provides the best traction for your surfaces


• Carpeting or carpet strips are great for your stairs


• Clean up spills as they happen


• Don't rush to answer a doorbell or phone call


• Keep shoes against the wall and out of the traffic zone


• Have adequate lighting throughout your house


• Tape down or bundle up extension cords, if possible relocate items needing cords next to electrical outlets.

Safety in your home is achievable with just a few minor changes. Please take the time today to make your home safer.