Avoiding accidents and injuries at home

The former Department of Trade and Industry claimed that more than 500,000 people aged 75 or over visit an accident and emergency department each year due to an accident caused at home. This section of our website provides some advice on avoiding accidents and injuries whilst living at home.

Much of the advice is common sense, but it is often the little steps that can help to prevent accidents.

 Safety in the kitchen

• Ensure that spillages are cleared up straight away so that they do not become a slip hazard
• Make sure that the foodstuffs, cooking equipment and crockery you use regularly are in easy reach
• If you cannot reach something that you need, do not strain yourself and risk causing injury. Ask someone that you trust to help
• Don't stand on a stool or a chair to reach things on high shelves or on top of cupboards
• Be careful not to bend down too far: items in low cupboards (especially at the back) could also cause you to strain yourself
• Never leave a chip pan or grill pan unattended - they can easily catch fire
• Try to use the rings or burners at the back of the hob and make sure that pan handles are facing away from the front of the cooker so they cannot be accidently knocked
• If you are using a gas cooker, make sure the rings, oven and grill ignite correctly and when not in use that the gas is turned off
• When frying food, such as a pork chop, make sure that you place it in the pan away from you so that any hot fat cannot easily splash you
• Use a timer if you are cooking something so that you do not forget about it
• Keep your work surfaces clear, especially around the sink, as you might need to put a hot pan down quickly
• Make sure that you have a fire blanket and a fire extinguisher to hand and ensure that you know who to use them

Safety around your home

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents suggest that falls account for 71 per cent of all fatal accidents in the home to people aged 65 years and over. Falls account for 54 per cent of all injuries. Strong muscles and improved balance will greatly reduce the risk of tripping, slipping or falling.

• Look around your home and remove anything that could be an obstacle. You could ask someone that you trust to help you rearrange your furniture if it gives you more space and better access
• The area around your home is equally important - make sure that there are no loose flagstones, trailing plants or slippery paths that could cause you to trip, slip or fall
• You could consider installing hand rails or other support equipment. You can read more about equipment here
• Make sure that there is nothing that could cause you to trip - cables, cords, flexes and crumpled rugs or carpets are all common causes of household accidents
• Do not leave items such as laundry at the bottom of the stairs to take up later - these could pose a trip hazard
• Be as active as you are able. Even a small amount of exercise can help to build muscle strength and improve balance. If you are not able to take a short walk outside, you can still be active by moving around your home. Even shaking your arms and legs and wiggling your fingers and toes can make a difference.
• A good diet, rich in protein, vitamins and minerals will help to keep you healthy
• Make sure that your home is well lit with good lighting. Hallways, doorways and stairs are especially important
• If you are visually impaired and have glass doors, try sticking colourful stickers on them to make them stand out a bit clearer
• Make sure that you get your eyes checked on a regular basis and take your optician's advice. Eye tests are free for people aged 60 years and over
• Make sure that you never use electrical appliances which need to be plugged into the mains in the bathroom
• If you spill or drip some water onto the floor, make sure that you clear it up straight away so it does not become a slip hazard
• Use non-slip mats in the bath and shower and on the floor 
• Consider using hand or grab rails. You can read more here
• Make sure that you check the temperature of the water before getting into the bath or under the shower. You should always run the cold tap first
• When you are ready to get out of bed, make sure the floor around the bed is clear from things which could cause you to trip. Hanging sheets, fallen pillows or trailing blankets or duvets can all be hazardous
• Make sure that you have a torch with charged batteries on or in your bedside table in case you can't reach the light switch or if there is a power cut

 Fire, gas and electrical safety

• Never overload power points or plug sockets
• Ensure you have a smoke alarm fitted, that it works and that you can hear it wherever you are in the house. The RNID can offer support and guidance on alarms for people with a hearing impairment. You can contact them on 01733 361 199 or visit their website by clicking here
• Make sure that your smoke alarm conforms to British Standard BS5466
• Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer because you cannot see or smell it. Consider installing a carbon monoxide detector, especially if you use a fuel burning stove or heating system (including open fires)
• Carbon monoxide detectors should conform to BS EN 50291
• Make sure that you test your alarms regularly and that you change the battery at least once a year
• You can contact your local fire and rescue service on the number in the phone book for advice (don't dial 999 unless in an emergency) or you can get further advice from the Fire Kills website by clicking here
• If you are a smoker, make sure that smoking materials are fully extinguished when you have finished with them
• Empty ash trays regularly into a metal bin or douse with water
• Never smoke in bed or when you might nod off to sleep
• Ensure that gas and electrical appliances are installed by a qualified engineer and that they are checked regularly
• Gas appliances must be installed and checked by a CORGI registered engineer. Visit them online here
• Electrical appliances should be installed and checked by a member of NICEIC. Visit them online here
• If you have an open fire, ensure you have fitted a fireguard
• Ensure gas and electric fires and portable heaters are kept clear from fabrics, clothing, curtains and furniture
• Never dry laundry or wet clothes on a portable fire or gas or electric heater

In an emergency make sure that you never take any risks and call the emergency services by dialling 999 as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have a fire your priority is getting out of your house safely.

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