The Home Safety Checklist
A room-by-room walkthrough to spot fall risks before they become falls. Print it, or walk through the house with your phone — one room at a time. If a room has more than three unchecked boxes, start there.
Bathroom — the #1 fall-risk room
- ☐ Grab bar inside the shower or tub, and one beside it
- ☐ Non-slip mat inside the tub and on the floor beside it
- ☐ Shower chair or transfer bench if standing for a full shower is tiring
- ☐ Toilet safety rail or raised seat if standing up from the toilet is hard
- ☐ Night light on the path from bedroom to bathroom
- ☐ Water heater set to 120°F or lower to prevent scalds
Bedroom
- ☐ Clear, wide path from the bed to the door
- ☐ Motion-sensor night light that turns on automatically
- ☐ Phone, lamp, and glasses reachable from the bed
- ☐ Bed rail or bedside support if getting out of bed takes effort
- ☐ No loose rugs or cords near the bed
Stairs & hallways
- ☐ Sturdy handrail along the full length of every staircase
- ☐ Anti-slip treads or grip tape on each step
- ☐ Motion-activated lighting at the top and bottom of stairs
- ☐ Nothing stored on the steps — ever
- ☐ First and last step clearly visible (contrasting tape helps)
Living areas
- ☐ Loose rugs removed or secured with non-slip backing
- ☐ Cords routed along walls, never across walking paths
- ☐ At least one sturdy chair with armrests for easier standing
- ☐ A reacher tool so nobody climbs for high shelves
- ☐ Walking paths at least 3 feet wide throughout
Kitchen
- ☐ Everyday items stored between waist and shoulder height
- ☐ A step stool with a support handle — never a chair
- ☐ Spills wiped up immediately, every time
- ☐ Bright task lighting over counters and the stove
Entry & outdoors
- ☐ Handrail on all entry steps
- ☐ Threshold ramp over raised door sills for walkers and unsteady feet
- ☐ Motion-sensor light at the main entrance
- ☐ Anti-slip tape on outdoor steps that get wet
- ☐ A bench or table by the door for setting down bags
Where to start: the bathroom, then the stairs. Those two rooms account for most falls at home. Most fixes on this list install in under 30 minutes.