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Aging in Place 8 min read
The Home Safety Checklist Every Family Should Use
A room-by-room checklist to spot risks before they cause falls or injuries.
The Care Alternatives Team December 18, 2026
One in four adults over 65 falls each year, and falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital visits in that age group. Most of those falls happen at home, and most are preventable with a few simple changes. Walk through your home — or a parent's home — with this checklist in hand.
Entryways
Motion-sensor lights at the door and along the walkway. Sturdy handrails on both sides of every step. No clutter — shoes, umbrellas, or packages — just inside the door.
Bathroom
Grab bars beside the toilet and inside the shower (towel bars are not grab bars — they pull out of the wall). A non-slip mat in the tub or shower. A shower chair if standing for long is hard. A raised toilet seat if rising is hard.
Keep a nightlight on. Most bathroom falls happen between 1 and 5 a.m.
Bedroom
A clear path from the bed to the bathroom, free of cords, rugs, and shoes. A nightlight on that path. A phone within reach of the bed. A chair with arms for safer dressing.
Kitchen
Most-used items between waist and shoulder height. A sturdy step stool with a handle — not a chair — for anything higher. Smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors that have been tested this year.
Living areas
Secure rugs with non-slip backing, or remove them. Clear walkways. Well-lit corners. A primary chair with arms for easier rising. Cords tucked behind furniture, never across walking paths.
The takeaway
Review this checklist quarterly — needs change. If you'd like a second set of eyes, our team is glad to walk through the home with you and flag what we'd change.
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