November is Fall Prevention Month, and with that in mind, we thought it was important to give you some tips and strategies that can help you prevent falls in your home.  We often don’t expect to fall within the safety and comfort of our own home, but it’s easier than you think.

Here are 8 ways to prevent falling at home.

1. Keep your home clean and tidy
   Clutter is one way many falls occur. Remove things that you don’t need anymore, such as old newspapers and magazines. Also clean your floor to keep it free of dirt or mess.
2. Remove tripping hazards
   Watch out for loose carpets, slippery throw rugs, etc. You can also try to get someone to fix areas of your home that may need help, such as repairing a loose floorboard that may stick up.
3. Install grab bars and handrails
   They can be very useful when preventing falls that may occur in the bathroom.
4. Avoid wearing loose clothing
   Wearing baggy pants or other loose clothing can cause falls. Opt for better‐fitting and properly hemmed clothing that doesn’t bunch up or drag on the ground.
5. Use non‐slip mats
   Non-slip mats in the bathtub or shower or kitchen can help since floors can become dangerous and slippery when wet.
6. Have good lighting at home
   Having bright lights that will help you see better when moving around is great, and you can also use night lights if you ever need to navigate in the dark during the night.
7. Live in a place without stairs
   Stairs may pose an everyday challenge for people with disabilities. Living in an apartment/condo with an elevator, or a house with only one level can be a good option.
8. Take your time
   Try to move more slowly when getting up or moving from one location to another. Sometimes moving too fast is the easiest way to slip and fall.

We hope these tips have helped give you some ideas that will assist you when it comes to fall prevention at home.  These are tips anyone can use to stay safe.

Many of these tips not only prevent falls but also help us create the most accessible environment for guests. For tips on how you can maintain a high level of accessibility for your business check out our blog Five ways to create a barrier-free storefront.

Chris Gaspar is a Scarborough-based SCIO community member and volunteer writer with our Marketing & Communications Dept.
>Photo: Nathan Fertig, unsplash