Every home should have Latex Free Gloves. These gloves are also powder free.  The powder has a tendency to irritate the skin.

Home Safety Inspection

Looking For Potential Hazards

One of the most common safety hazards is exiting the home. You should have locks, doorknobs/handles which are accessible to the elderly and disabled, especially those in a wheelchair. If a deadbolt is present, make sure to leave the key in the lock so that they will have immediate access to it, so they can unlock the door and exit the home.

There are many products which are designed with the elderly and disabled , as well as those who have daily challenges in mind. To ensure that the home is safe, you need to consider all of the possibilities, room by room and make a list of what the hazards are.

Once you have done that, make a list of what is needed to correct the hazards, but keep in mind the challenges that your loved one faces in order to purchase the correct home safety equipment and other products to make life easier and safer for the elderly and disabled. When purchasing home safety items be sure that they are ADA compliant.

The Room Where Accidents and Fires Occur The Most Often

The Kitchen

The one room in the home that is not accident proof is the kitchen. The kitchen is famous for accidents involving spills which can result in serious burns or even fatality.

Most spills occur while cooking. However, there are those who have no idea as to how to make cooking and food preparation easier. Even the simple task of opening a jar or can may result in an injury.


The Living Area

The Cause of Accidents

The living area is also hazardous to those who have mobility issues. Loose or torn carpet can easily cause a slip and fall accident.

Another cause of an accident in the living space is due to throw rugs. It does not take much for one to catch their toe or foot in a carpet tear, or trip over a throw rug.

The safest flooring is bare floors such as hardwood, or laminate flooring.

Bathroom-Most Common Room For Slip And Fall Accidents

One hazard is slip and fall accidents which occur in the bathroom more often than any other room in the home. There are those who need assistive devices in the bathroom, as well as the shower to make their life safer, and easier.

Slip and Fall Prevention -Avoid Bathroom Accidents


You can avoid or decrease the risk of bathroom accidents with slip and fall prevention.

Proper bathroom mats should be in places such as the tub, outside the tub, in front of the sink since those are the areas that will most likely get wet. 

Decals that are often used inside the tub or shower, not only loosen up, but they are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. 

 The best mats to use are non-slip and those that are resistant to mold and mildew.

Railings for inside the shower, special shower seats, as well as safety bars over the sides of the tub, provide stability. 

If at all feasible, the best option is to remove the current tub/shower and replace it with a walk-in tub. 

Toilet

One of the daily challenges for the elderly, disabled, or even those with severe back pain is to have privacy in the bathroom and not being able to get up from the toilet by themselves. There are railings that solves that problem for many   
ADA toilets can be installed.  


They are more expensive than the standard size.  The only real difference with an ADA compliant toilet is that the bowl is elongated, and it is only about 2-3 inches higher which might make it easier for someone in a wheel chair, but if you are like myself with back issues that makes it difficult to stand up, after sitting on the toilet, I found the extra cost for an ADA toilet was not worth it in the end. 

There are devices that will provide stability for those who have mobility issues, and padded cushions to provide height for the person who has difficulty standing from a low position.

Kidde KN-COSM-BA Battery-Operated Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Voice Warning


I have this one in my kitchen.  It does not alarm every time the oven is on, like so many do.

I have done these things, and my alarm did go off!


If you boil water, forget and pot goes dry!
Did you walk away for a minute or so and the food that you are frying is in too hot oil, or starting to burn?   Do you have some burned food still in your oven, or a baking pan has some grease, etc on it in the oven?  This alarm will go off in these instances.  The kitchen doesn't have to have a lot of smoke or a fire started first.   

Proper Lighting-Smoke-Carbon Dioxide Detectors

Lighting is another safety issue in the home. This is a serious one. Home fires are one of the main causes of death in the home. Those with mobility issues, in wheelchairs, who use assistive devices, have sensory problems are at even higher risk should there be a fire in the home.

All homes should have smoke detectors/alarms as well as carbon dioxide detectors/alarms in working order.

Smoke dectectors/carbon dioxide detectors are a must in every home, but the disabled need special features, which could benefit the entire household as well. If one does not hear well, they may not hear the alarm sound if in a sound sleep of preoccupied with another activity.

Emergency Lights Are Just As Important In The Event Of A Fire


Exit Signs For The Home


Battery back-up Emergency Exit Sign with light. Have on throughout the home, and at basement door, especially in areas where the disabled may spend their time, and sleeping.

Emergency lights, such as exit signs will save lives. Imagine trying to get your way through smoke, or in the dark should the power go out. 

Those who cannot see well may have difficulty in finding an exit which will allow them to leave the home.

Overhead motion detectors, such as the Mr. Beams MB 980 Battery-Operated Indoor/Outdoor Motion-Sensing LED Ceiling Light, White, are perfect for hallways, or even in individual bedrooms for those who may be sight impaired, or even have difficulty in seeing in the dark. 

Home Safety Outside The Home

Another common place for accidents to occur is outside the front door. Families and friends assume those who may be disabled will stay inside during inclement weather. This is not always the case. Some, who have some independence, do all they can to remain independent.

Therefore, they will leave the home to do something as simple as going to the mailbox. However, it does not take much ice, or even snow for them to lose their balance and possibly end up with a fractured hip or other injuries that could very well be life threatening.

Information

More information in regards to home safety issues in the home, as well as outside of the home. There are items that make great gifts for the elderly, disabled.