Testing Health Messages in STEADI Oder Adult Fall Pevention Materials Among Caregivers

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Check
for Safety

Half of all falls happen at
home. Use this checklist
to find and fix hazards
found in each room.

FLOORS:
Look at the floor in each room.
Q: When you walk through a room,
do you have to walk around
furniture?

Ask someone to move the furniture so
your path is clear.
Q: Do you have throw rugs on
the floor?

Remove the rugs or use double-sided
tape or a non-slip backing so the rugs
won’t slip.
Q: Are there papers, shoes, books,
or other objects on the floor?

Pick up things that are on the floor.
Always keep objects off the floor.
Q: Do you have to walk over or
around wires or cords (like lamp,
telephone, or extension cords)?

Coil or tape cords and wires next to
the wall so you can’t trip over them.
If needed, have an electrician put in
another outlet.

STAIRS AND STEPS:
Look at the stairs you use both
inside and outside your home.
Q: Are there papers, shoes, books, or
other objects on the stairs?

Pick up things on the stairs. Always keep
objects off the stairs.
Q: Are some steps
broken or uneven?

Fix loose or
uneven steps.
Q: Are you missing a
light or a light
switch at the top
or bottom of the
stairs?

Have an electrician
Photo courtesy of Jake Pauls
put in an overhead
light and light switch at the top and
bottom of the stairs. You can get light
switches that glow.
Q: Has a stairway light bulb burned out?

Have a friend or family member change
the light bulb.
Q: Is the carpet on the steps loose or torn?

Make sure the carpet is firmly attached
to every step, or remove the carpet and
attach non-slip rubber treads to the stairs.
Q: Are the handrails loose or broken?
Is there a handrail on only one side
of the stairs?

Fix loose handrails or put in new ones.
Make sure handrails are on both sides of
the stairs and are as long as the stairs.

BATHROOMS:
Look at all your bathrooms.

KITCHEN:
Look at your kitchen and eating area.

Q: Is the tub or shower floor slippery?
Put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick
strips on the floor of the tub or shower.

Q: Are the things you use often on
high shelves?
Move items in your cabinets. Keep
things you use often on the lower
shelves (about waist high).

Q: Do you need some support when you
get in and out of the tub or up from
the toilet?
Have grab bars put in next to and
inside the tub and next to the toilet.

Q: Is your step stool unsteady?
If you must use a step stool, get one
with a bar to hold on to. Never use a
chair as a step stool.

BEDROOMS:
Look at all your bedrooms.
Q: Is the light near the bed hard
to reach?
Place a lamp close to the bed where
it’s easy to reach.

Contact your local community or senior
center for information on exercise,
fall prevention programs, or options for
improving home safety.
For additional information on fall prevention,
please visit: www.cdc.gov/injury

Q: Is the path from your bed to the
bathroom dark?
Put in a night-light so you can see
where you’re walking. Some nightlights go on by themselves after dark.

Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control

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Check forSafety