Injuries and accidents can happen to just about anyone. If you have existing mobility concerns, your risk of losing grip or balance can be even greater of a risk. Luckily, there are things you can do to minimize the potential for slips and falls that will both ensure your safety and help you maintain your quality of life. First, it’s important to identify the areas of your home where accidents are most likely to occur. Let’s take a look at three high-risk areas for slip and fall accidents, and how you can make them significantly safer to navigate.
Risky Area #1: Bathrooms
The bathroom is one area of your home where these kinds of accidents can easily take place. Water from the sink, shower, or bathtub making its way to the floor poses a significant threat for slipping accidents, especially if your bathroom flooring is slick or isn’t covered by a mat or rug. To help mitigate the risk of slips and falls in the bathroom, make sure that you’re careful with where the water is splashing, and place mats that can absorb water on the floor near plumbing fixtures. You can also equip your bathroom with well-placed grab bars that will provide balance support and help you steady yourself as you complete each bathroom activity.
Risky Area #2: Stairs
Another space in your home that can be unsafe to navigate if you have a mobility issue is the staircase. Whether there are steps leading up to your home’s entrance, into the backyard, or to different floors in a multi-level home, it’s important to be cautious when using the stairs due to their risk for slip and fall accidents. To make your stairs easier and safer to navigate, you should:
- Climb slowly and get assistance from a family member or housemate when necessary.
- Always ensure railings are present, secure, and able to be gripped easily.
- Add carpeting or non-slip material to stairways with slick or glossy surfaces.
Among the safest solutions for those with mobility concerns to more easily navigate the stairs in their homes is the stairlift. This motorized mobility equipment is installed on your stairs and provides a comfortable seat that runs along a track to bring you safely up and down the staircase. Complete with sensors that stop the chair if an obstruction is present and a seat belt for a more secure ride, stairlifts are highly effective in reducing slip and fall accidents in the home.
Risky Area #3: Hallways
Clutter and other obstacles can make traveling between the rooms in your home quite dangerous. It’s always best to keep pathways clear of all objects so that you can navigate each space safely. Beyond clutter, make sure that your home’s fixtures and features aren’t getting in the way of mobility. In addition, when shopping for your home, avoid purchasing bulky furniture, items with sharp edges, and furnishings that include hardware that can easily cause a snag.
Reduce Accidents with Our Maryland Mobility Equipment
If you’re looking for ways to make your home a safer place, Freedom Mobility is here to help. We offer a wide selection of home mobility equipment, from grab bars and stairlifts to wheelchairs and walkers, to Maryland residents and beyond. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you reduce your risk of slip and fall accidents in your home.