ResCare HomeCare news — 06/01/2008

Home is where the heart is - and where most injuries occur

Your home is first and foremost yours: your refuge, your sanctuary, and - be it ever so humble - your castle. That's why you would hate to leave it - not so long as you can get by in it on your own or with a little help from friends, family, neighbors, or (yes) a trusted home care provider.

But if you want your home to do right by you and your loved ones - keeping you snugly safe and secure for untold years to come - you need to do right by your home. To function most effectively, your home may need a makeover. The good news is that when it comes to safety, we are not (in most cases) talking about pricey new furnishings or an addition out back. Instead, to serve as the safe environment it could and should be, your home may require a few simple adjustments. Chances are, you can do them all yourself or with minimal help, and for very short money.

Look around

Don your imaginary safety inspector hat and play "I spy" for a minute. How many hazards can you detect from right where you're standing? Do you see a throw rug that tends to slip and slide? Is there a dish towel or pot holder hanging a little too close to the burners on the stove? Are wires and cords crisscrossing your path at every turn? Any of these conditions is an accident waiting to happen, so make a note to secure what needs securing, move what needs moving, and replace what needs to be replaced. Then go to the next room and repeat the process.

Preventing slips, trips, and falls should be your first priority. According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths for Americans 65 years and older, and each year, about 35% to 40% of adults 65 and older fall at least once. Why do so many seniors fall? In the home, contributing factors include poor lighting, trailing wires and clutter, and slippery or fraying mats and rugs. Such conditions pose risks for everyone, but particularly to older people who are likely to have greater limitations in terms of vision and maneuverability.

Particular attention should be paid to conditions in stairways and bathrooms. Stairs and landings should be well lit, free of clutter, and clearly visible. On uncarpeted stairways, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish where one step ends and another begins. Try highlighting the outer edge of every step with non-slip white paint, or cover the stairs with secure, non-plush carpeting. There should be hand rails on both sides of every stairway.

In the bathroom, consider installing grab bars by the tub, shower, and toilet. If you have them already, check them for strength and stability and repair them if necessary. Use a non-slip mat or appliqué strips in the tub and only non-skid rugs on the bathroom floor.

Your next priority should be to do everything possible to prevent fires and burns. Are there smoke detectors on every floor of the home, and are they working properly? Check electrical cords for damage and replace them if they are cracked or frayed. Remember that stapling or nailing cords to walls or floors can damage them and increase the risk of electrical shock or fire. Use tape to secure cords, if necessary, and don't overload extension cords Install cover plates on any exposed wiring to avoid shocks, and check to ensure light bulbs are the appropriate size and type for their fixtures to reduce the risk of overheating. Avoid space heaters altogether or locate them well away from flammable curtains and carpeting, and away from locations where they might pose a tripping hazard.

Not all dangers in the home are visible. To detect dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, which is colorless and odorless, you need to install a CO detector which will issue an alarm when the deadly gas is present. To prevent scalding, another silent and invisible threat, you will want to turn your water heater down to 120 degrees.

A short article can draw attention to only a few of the dangers you may encounter at home. For more information about potential hazards in the home and what you can do about them, visit www.MySafeHome.org, the website of the Home Safety Council, or ask your local ResCare HomeCare staff. As always, we are happy to help you or direct you to appropriate community resources.

The people of ResCare HomeCare