Seniors Information Service - Safety in the home

Independence is important to all of us. Older people can be more susceptible to accidents. There are commonsense precautions that can be taken to reduce the chances of being injured. Here are some suggestions to assist you to avoid accidents.

Falls prevention

Falls are less likely to happen if you take these precautions:

Have good lighting over stairs and in dark halls. At least use a 60-watt globe.
Place a bed-lamp or a reliable torch within easy reach of the bed.
If you need to use a toilet at night leave a night light on.
When going out at night leave a light on for when you return.
Arrange for a younger person to change light globes.
Place a phone next to the bed for emergencies.
To get in and out of bed easily, adjust the bed to the best height for you.
Tack or tape down loose edges of carpets, secure loose rugs and remove loose mats. Use rubber mats in wet areas.
Remove worn carpet and linoleum and correct uneven surfaces.
Immediately wipe up spilt liquids, especially fat or oil.
Wear supportive shoes. Avoid loose-fitting slippers, high-heels or poor gripping soles and trailing night wear.
Put away footstools and leg rests after use, keeping walkways clear.
Place rails on both sides of steps and stairs. If one leg is weaker than the other, use the good foot first when going upstairs, and the weaker foot first when going down.
Remove bifocal glasses when using steps
Install grab rails beside the bath, shower and toilet. Tread strips on the bottom of the bath and shower will prevent slipping. A number of distributors in SA can offer a range of rails to blend with the colour scheme of your home.
Tiled areas, especially in the bathroom, should be coated with a non-slip treatment. Non-slip treatments can be purchased and applied by a family member, or you can have the treatments applied by a specialist.
Install a toilet seat raiser if you have difficulty getting on and off the toilet.
Store personal belongings and household goods between eye and hip level where they can be easily reached.
Install an adequate number of power points to avoid trailing cords and multiple connections from electrical equipment.
Never stand on chairs or tables, use a step stool or step ladder with a handle.
Clearly mark glass doors with stickers at eye level.
When getting out of bed, first sit up for a minute or two, then swing your legs over the bedside and pause again. Getting up is easier if chairs have arms to push up from and if chairs and beds are of a height that feet can rest flat on the floor when seated

Falls prevention programs may include assessment of the person’s balance and the home environment, balance exercise classes and/or advice on home modifications. They are held by day therapy services, the Metropolitan Domiciliary Care and health promotion services. Contact the nearest Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre, tel. 1800 052 222 (free call) for information on falls prevention programmes in you area.

Hip Safety Kit – hip protector shields are available for people who may be prone to falling. For information call the Preventive Care Centre, Royal Adelaide Hospital, tel. 8222 2748

Burns and scalds

Burns or scalds can be minimised if you:

Place a good light over the stove
Check to ensure that gas jets and hot plates are turned off after use. Clearly mark control knobs
Keep saucepans in good order and do not let handles protrude over the edge of the stove
Never cook when wearing clothes with loose sleeves, especially when using gas jets

Other safety precautions

Use electric kettles with automatic cut-off or whistling kettles.
Flint lighters are safer than matches for lighting gas.
NEVER wash electric blankets, sponge carefully, dry flat. Keep electric blankets flat and tied down securely. If faulty they should be checked by a qualified electrician. Turn off the electric blanket when getting into bed.
All electrical appliances must be kept in good order. Trailing or frayed cords should be replaced. Power points should never be overloaded.
Never run extension cords under carpets or rugs.
Heaters should have proper guards. Choose portable heating models that have automatic safety shut-off switches installed. Clothing and other combustible materials should be placed at least two meters away from any heater. Kerosene heaters and bar radiators are not recommended.
All electrical appliances including televisions should be turned off at the switch before retiring at night.
Always turn on the cold water first in the shower or bath and remember not to leave the hot water running.
NEVER smoke in bed.
Avoid drinking hot liquids in bed.
Hot water bottles must have a secure stopper and be well covered. Never use boiling water.
When using wheat bags used for aches and pains, do not over heat or use to warm beds. Reheat or store only when completely cold. Discard if there is any smell of burning.

Outside the house, injury is less likely if:

Paths are even and free of cracks and holes
Care should be taken to store gardening tools safely
Wear brightly coloured clothing when in the street to be clearly visible to motorists
When crossing a road use a pedestrian crossing with flashing lights.

Smoke Alarms

It is compulsory for smoke alarms to be installed in all residential buildings. Install smoke alarms on the ceiling between main living and sleeping areas. Depending on the design of house, you may need one or two smoke alarms.

Houses built since 1 January 1995 must be equipped with hard-wired smoke alarms. All other houses must be equipped with at least 9-volt battery-powered smoke alarms. When a house with this type of alarm is sold the new owner must install alarms which are hard-wired to the 240-volt power supply or powered by 10-year life, non-replaceable, non-removable batteries. All smoke alarms must comply with Australian Standard AS 3786.

For the hearing-impaired there are smoke alarm systems available that incorporate strobe lights and vibrating elements in addition to the audible alert signal. Adults with a profound hearing loss who have a Health Care Card or meet other low-income criteria can apply for a Specialised Smoke Alarm System.

Smoke Alarm Scheme, Hearing Impaired, tel. 8203 8395, Country Freecall 1800 738 855, TTY 8203 8391.
People with mobility impairment should have a smoke alarm system connected with equipment that will send a pre-recorded message or signal to the service provider so that the fire service and a designated carer can be immediately notified to respond.

The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS), tel. 8204 3611, can advise you on installing your smoke alarms and keeping it in good working order. The SAMFS also provides information on safety at home including a fact sheet in English and eleven other languages.

Local councils - Older residents may be able to get assistance from their local council to replace batteries in existing battery-operated smoke alarms and do some safety home modifications.