1. Make sure all banisters are securely attached to walls and staircases.
2. All area rugs should be either taken up or tacked down.
3. All area rugs in bathroom should be non-skid.
4. Telephone or electrical wires should not cross walking paths. Secure them against walls or make sure they are completely taped down if they must cross walking paths.
5. When ambulating, wear supportive footwear or non-skid socks.
6. When showering, if the shower is in a tub, consider adding secure grab bars, adding non-slip decals on tub floor, and switching to a hand held type of shower head. If you live alone, call a friend/relative who lives close by and tell them you are going to shower and will call them when you are finished. If there is a mishap, there will be someone who will check on you if you haven’t called them back and can summon help. Wipe up liquids on floors promptly.
7. When descending to the basement or venturing outside, take your cell phone with you.
8. Make sure that you keep up with the general home maintenance that can keep you safe. For example, have someone replace burned out light bulbs, make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detector have batteries and are tested on a regular basis.
9. Avoid wearing nightgowns, robes, etc. that are too long on you.
10. Make sure all equipment you will be using is in good condition.