Tips on Preventing Falls in the Home

Feb. 9, 2005 — -- Falls are the leading cause of home injury and death among adults age 65 and older. Each year, more than 4,700 Americans age 65 and older die as a result of falls, and more than a million elderly Americans are admitted to hospital emergency rooms to treat injuries related to falls, according to the Home Safety Council.

ABC News' home improvement correspondent Ron Hazelton shared safety tips to help prevent falls in the home on "Good Morning America."

How to Prevent Falls in the Home

Conduct a safety check all around your home.

Make sure all stairs and steps have a a secure banister or handrail.

Make sure all porches, hallways and stairwells are well lit.

Use nightlights to help light hallways and bathrooms during nighttime hours.

Keep stairs, steps, landings and all floors clear. Reduce clutter and safely tuck away telephone and electrical cords out ofwalkways.

In homes with children, make sure toys and games are not left on steps or landings. When very young children are presentuse safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs.

Use a non-slip mat or install adhesive safety strips or decals in bathtubs and showers. If you use a bath mat on the floor, choose one that has a non-skid bottom.

Install grab bars in bath and shower stalls. Don't use towel racks or wall-mounted soap dishes as grab bars; they caneasily come loose, causing a fall.

Keep the floor clean. Promptly clean up grease, water and other spills.

If you use throw rugs in your home place them over a rug-liner or choose rugs with non-skid backs to reduce your chance of slipping.

Use a sturdy stepstool with handrails when climbing is necessary.

Follow medication dosages closely. Using multiple medications and/or using medications incorrectly may cause dizziness,weakness and other side effects which can lead to a dangerous fall.

Take an exercise class that will increase your strength and improve your balance. Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta found the Chinese martial art of Tai Chi improved balance in older people after just a few weeks and cut the risk of falling nearly in half. Before taking any exercise class, be sure to get approval from your health care provider.

Always wear low-heeled shoes with rubber soles for good traction. Never wear slippers, shoes with leather soles or high heels.

Ask your health-care provider about protective gear, such as gel-filled clothing and accessories that protect your limbs and hips in case you do fall.

For more information on preventing falls and on safety in the home, visit www.homesafetycouncil.org