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Small Changes, Good Habits Can Make Homes Safer

June 2008

Ask any Ohioan where we feel safest and most of us will say in our own homes. However, older adults, both men and women, experience the highest rates of accidental death from home injuries among all age groups, with the leading cause being either a fall or fire, according to the Home Safety Council.

Falls are the leading cause of injuries for people over age 65. Each year, an estimated one-third of older adults fall, and the likelihood of falling increases substantially as we get older. Falls cause more than two thirds of all nonfatal home injuries.

For many older adults, the fear of falling can be almost as devastating as an actual fall. Fear can lead to self-imposed activity restrictions, social isolation and depression, seriously affecting older adults' quality of life.

June is Home Safety Month and is dedicated to educating and empowering individuals and families to take actions that will make their homes safe. Just a few simple steps can dramatically reduce the dangers in most homes and may even make a lifesaving difference.

• Install grab bars in the tub and shower.
• Install bright lights over stairs, steps and on landings.
• Install handrails on both sides of the stairs and steps.
• Use a ladder for climbing, instead of a stool or furniture.

Fires are another leading cause of injury and death for older adults. More than half of all nonfatal burn injuries happen in homes and home fires account for nearly 90 percent of all fire-related fatalities.

Thankfully, something as simple as a working smoke alarm can cut your family's risk of dying in a home fire almost in half. Other fire prevention steps include:

• Never leave a candle or other open flame unattended and extinguish them before leaving a room.
• Stay by the stove when cooking, especially when you are frying food.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• If you smoke, smoke outside. Use deep ashtrays and put water in them before you empty them.

Call your Area Agency on Aging at 1-866-243-5678 to learn about programs in your area to help you make changes in your home to ensure your safety and the safety of your loved ones.

You can also visit the Home Safety Council Web site for free home safety checklists and step-by-step guides on how you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe at home.

Barbara E. Riley