Home Safety Tips

For seniors, and for the rest of us!

Each year, according to estimates by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nearly one million people over age 65 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with the products they live with and use everyday. The death rate from unintentional injuries in the home is approximately three times greater for older people than for the younger population.

Specifically, there are 60 deaths per 100,000 persons 65 and older, while there are 20 deaths per 100,000 persons under 65.

Slips and falls are the main source of injury for older people in the home. CPSC recommends the use of grab-bars and non-slip mats in the bathtub, handrails on both sides of the stairs, and slip-resistant carpets and rugs. Burns occur from hot tap water and from open flame. CPSC recommends that consumers turn down the temperature of their water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent scalds. CPSC also recommends the installation and maintenance of at least one smoke detector on every floor of the home. Older consumers should consider purchasing nightwear that is flame resistant and choose garments made of tightly woven fabrics such as 100% polyester, 100% nylon, or 100% wool.

Safety For Older Consumers Home Safety Checklist

Each year, many older Americans are injured in and around their homes. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that in 1981, over 622,000 people over age 65 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with products they live with and use everyday. CPSC believes that many of these injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but also easy to fix. By spotting these hazards and taking some simple steps to correct them, many injuries might be prevented. Use this checklist to spot possible safety problems which may be present in your home. Keep this checklist as a reminder of safe practices, and use it periodically to re-check your home. This checklist is organized by areas in the home. However, there are some potential hazards that need to be checked in more than just one area of your home.

We recommend that you set aside an afternoon and systematically go through your home, using this home safety checklist.

	Home Our Qualifications Areas Served What we Inspect Our Promise Standards we follow Inspection Request Radon Test Request Homeowners > Radon > Radon Risk > Mold Information > Mold & Moisture > Termites > Lead > Asbestos > Plumbing > Roofing > Air Quality > Water Quality > EMFs in the Home > Biological Pollutants > Wetlands > Private Wells > Septic Systems > Conserve Energy > Home Insurance Tips > Common Definitions Home Buyers > Why Pay More? > 3 Mistakes > Closing Process > Things to Look For > Prebuilt Homes > What Really Matters Home Sellers > Pre-Listing Inspections Help Sell > Ten Tips Realtors, Click Here Home Safety > Electrical Safety > Child Safety > Holiday Safety > Pool Safety > Safety Checklist > Senior Safety Tips > Wildlife Renovation > Building a Home > Energy Efficiency > Foundation Insulation > Historic Renovation > Log Homes > Rehabilitation > Stucco Contact Form Links of Interest Search Our Site