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Home Safety Checklist

February 10, 2017

Is Your Home Safe? Read This Checklist

When we think about home safety, we often think about protecting our families, ourselves, and our property from theft and violence. However, home safety is also about being able to live in our homes without fear of hurting ourselves or some part of the house causing us harm. This can range from wires to trip over, things that can catch fire, health risks from dripping pipes, and unsecured carpets.

This is vitally important for all of us, but especially for the elderly and the physically vulnerable such as those with a chronic illness. Eight million people across the U.S. go to emergency rooms because of falling over something. One-third of people over 65 fall once a year at least, and over 60% of fall related deaths involve elderly citizens.

It is therefore important to work with your relatives who are elderly or prone to fatigue and mobility issues, or to seek advice if you feel your own home is not safe enough, and find ways to make it safer. This allows you to retain your independence while not risking your own health. To do this, you need to consider each element of your home in turn. These are:

  • Fire safety
  • Bathrooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Kitchens
  • Living rooms
  • Staircases
  • Gardens

Lupus patients should use times when they are feeling well to arrange their homes to make things easier when a flare comes. For example, place lighter kitchen cooking tools where they won’t strain your aching neck or hands to lift them. Make sure you have curtains over windows to shield yourself from direct sunlight. Do as many chores as you can when you are feeling well so you can avoid those chores when you are exhausted. 

Please click here for a full guide to home safety for senior citizens and the physically vulnerable.

By, Jess Walter, Freelance Writer