It’s no secret that falls are the leading cause of injury in the home. (Every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in an emergency room for a fall; every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.) That’s why our product experts have selected a number of best-in-class items designed to help you minimize risk and stay on your feet.
Please note that if mobility and balance are serious concerns, have your home properly assessed and install whatever safety measures might be necessary (from grab bars to access ramps). In the meantime, below are some easy-to-implement and highly effective household items – most of which are priced at under $20 – that can really make a difference.
Lighting is particularly important because vision tends to weaken as we grow older, primarily as a result of normal age-related changes. The amount of light that reaches a person’s retina at age 65 is about 33 percent of the light reaching a young adult’s retina, and this figure drops to about 20 percent at age 85.
These best-selling LED plug-in nightlights from Vont are a quick, easy and inexpensive way to boost vision and avoid household tripping hazards. Beautifully designed with a modern minimalist look, they easily fit into small spaces and don't obstruct other outlets. No wonder they've collected nearly 4,000 5-star reviews on Amazon!
Constructed of high quality, 100% fire-resistant ABS polymer, and boasting a life of more than 10,000 hours, the nightlights come 6 to a pack with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.
If you're in the process of fall-proofing your home, you may already know that small throw rugs, particularly those without non-slip backings, are hazardous. However, you might not realize that even larger carpets present a significant danger due to curled, upturned corners. Take the time to make sure that you prevent both slipping and tripping with heavy duty double-sided carpet tape.
YYXLIFE Carpet Tape is the highest rated carpet tape on Amazon. It's an "Amazon's Choice" product with nearly 2,000 5-star reviews.
Easy to install and peel off by hand, this tape provides excellent adhesion to both smooth and rough surfaces (works for both rug-to-carpet and carpet-to-floor applications). It's also completely safe for delicate hardwood floors, allowing for easy removable without a trace of residue.
Over 1 Million injuries occur each year as a result of stairway falls. (Staircase and stairway accidents constitute the second leading cause of accidental injury, second only to motor vehicle accidents!) The risk is particularly high for older adults and it's critical to take steps to minimize this risk. One important measure: Adding stair treads to combat slippery surfaces.
These non-slip stair treads from Eden are tried and true. They're also highly rated on Amazon. Each package includes 15 pre-cut treads consisting of high quality adhesive tape that's been tested for grip, peel, adhesion, tensile strength and stretch to assure unmatched safety and quality.
And they look great too. Eden treads boast the highest level of transparency in the industry. Once adhered and rolled, the stairs will look nearly the same as before. Equally elegant and much safer!
It's no wonder that the bathroom is considered the most dangerous room in the house. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), more than a third of seniors over the age of 65 slip and fall each year – with 80 percent of those falls occurring in the bathroom. And while many of these falls occur while getting on and off the toilet, most of these falls actually occur while showering or bathing.
That's why it's critical to make sure that your shower and bathtub surfaces are non-slip and safe. And this patented bath mat from Gorilla is as good as it gets.
It's a generously sized 35" x 16" rectangle featuring a beautiful hexagon design that complements all design styles. 324 high quality suction cups attach securely to any smooth and clean tub or shower floor.
Anti-bacterial and anti mildew, durable and machine washable, and easy to maintain!
It takes two surfaces to tango! In other words, it's not just the floor that may be slippery but the soles of your shoes. Fortunately, there's an easy and inexpensive solution: Self-adhesive anti-slip pads. They work on whatever surface you choose to travel.
These high quality anti-slip pads from LYLFL come 5 to a pack. They're an "Amazon's Choice" product and are the perfect way to add some grip to your shoes. They're easy to customize (simply cut out the appropriate shape with a pair of scissors) and easy to apply (simply peel off the backing).
These pads work on virtually any type of shoe – men's or women's, new or old, plastic or leather. They also integrate a highly-durable, weatherproof adhesive to ensure long lasting use.
Loose shoelaces present another easily addressable challenge for those looking to minimize the risk of falling. After all, untied shoe laces can be easily tripped over – or caught on furniture – resulting in accidents and injuries both inside and outside the home.
Lock Laces are the original, patented elastic no-tie shoelaces with over 5 million pairs sold worldwide. (Nearly 20,000 4 and 5-star reviews on Amazon!) Simply replace your shoelaces with Lock Laces and you’ll never have to worry about your shoes coming untied again! The elastic 6-strand fibers provide firm but flexible support and comfort.
Each pack contains one pair of Lock Laces. Each pair contains two 48” elastic shoelaces, two patented double eyelet lock devices, and two cord clips end pieces.
No tripping over laces again!
For those with limited mobility, a reacher grabber tool can be enormously handy. It can also be a lot safer. No more standing on rickety stools to retrieve items placed on high shelves. No more stooping or bending to pick up items on the ground.
There are lots of reacher-grabber tools on the market but we fell in love with The Nifty Nabber from Unger. It's lightweight but sturdy, with an ergonomic grip and powerful heavy-duty claws that grip small, large, and odd-shaped items with ease. We also love the built-in magnet that helps for picking up small metal items like nails, keys, and coins.
It's the perfect tool for retrieving out-of-the-way items, for yard clean up, for the collection and disposal of trash, and much more. Nearly 4,000 4 and 5-star ratings on Amazon!
Comes in a variety of sizes. Multi-packs available too!
Another common cause of household falls is clutter. This includes the tangle of cords often found around home entertainment systems, home offices and computers, workshops, hobby rooms and more. Left hanging loosely, this tangle of cords can present a serious tripping hazard. Cable ties help but cable sleeves present a tidier and safer solution.
The cable management sleeves from JOTO are a great option. (Nearly 3,000 5-star ratings on Amazon!) They're made from form-fitting neoprene and feature easy pull zippers to wrap and conceal a variety of cables and wires. Each sleeve is super flexible and holds up to 8-10 cables.
The sleeves are also smartly designed in that they can be zipped together – easily expanding the length and/or the diameter of the bundle being gathered and zipped.
These cable sleeves come 4 to a pack. They're also available in two colors – black and beige.
Safer for you, safer for children who may be playing on floors, and safer for pets!
Getting in and out of vehicles can be challenge, particularly for those who lack mobility or who are recovering from surgery or a recent injury. Support bars can be a great solution, providing helpful support when entering and sitting down in vehicle and when standing and exiting a vehicle.
The HandyBar from Stander is a beautifully designed portable solution that's easy to use and conveniently sized. Simply insert the tip of the Handbar into the U-shaped door latch (on either the driver or passenger side) to raise or lower yourself into the car. Store and carry in any small bag between uses.
Lightweight, with a comfortable ergonomic handle, the Handybar supports up to 350 pounds. It also includes an emergency window breaker and seat belt cutting tool. Travel anywhere worry free!
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Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Please feel free to comment and please feel free to let us know if you have any other recommendations for minimizing the risk of falling in or out of the home.