Staying on Your Feet: Practical Ways to Make Your Home Safer from Falls

Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults — but many of the most effective preventive measures are well within reach of any handy homeowner such as our Groton Neighbors volunteers. No contractor required. The information below is based on guidance from the CDC, National Institute on Aging, and AARP.

Why This Matters

Every year, one in four Americans over 65 experiences a fall, and falls are the number one cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries in that age group. What's sobering is that the majority of falls happen at home — in rooms we know like the back of our hand. The good news: a few targeted changes can dramatically reduce your risk. Most of them cost under $50, take under an hour, and require only basic tools. And we have some wonderful volunteers who can help you make your home safer!

Room by Room Description of Simple Safety Improvements

These are all simple DIY improvements that one of our volunteers could implement for you.

Bathrooms

The bathroom is the most hazardous room in the house — wet surfaces, hard tile floors, and tight spaces create real risk. These improvements make a significant difference.

Install grab bars in the shower and near the toilet. This is the single most impactful thing you can do. Grab bars need to be anchored into wall studs or into blocking — not just drywall — to hold your weight in a fall. A volunteer would use a stud finder to locate the studs, then secure the bar with lag bolts. If studs aren't where you need them, toggle bolt anchors rated for 250+ lbs. are a reliable alternative. Position a horizontal bar on the shower wall at about hip height, and a 45-degree angled bar near the entry point of the tub or shower. Near the toilet, a side bar mounted 6–8 inches in front of the toilet seat and at the same height as the seat makes sitting and standing much easier.

Add a non-slip mat or adhesive strips in the tub or shower. Peel-and-stick non-slip strips (sold at any hardware store) adhere directly to porcelain or fiberglass. Clean the surface thoroughly with rubbing alcohol first, let it dry, then press the strips firmly in place. A freestanding non-slip bath mat outside the tub catches water and gives you solid footing when stepping out.

Consider a raised toilet seat or toilet safety frame. Both are available without a prescription and require no installation — they simply attach to or sit over the existing toilet. They meaningfully reduce the effort required to stand up.

Lower the hot water heater to 120°F. Not a fall prevention measure per se, but worth noting: scalding causes people to recoil suddenly, which can cause falls. Most water heaters have a dial on the front panel.

Stairways and Hallways

Secure loose handrails — or install one if it's missing. A handrail should feel solid when you pull on it firmly. If it wobbles, the screws securing the brackets to the wall may need to be replaced with longer screws driven into studs. If you lack a handrail on one side of your staircase, installing a bracket-and-rail system is a manageable DIY project with a drill, stud finder, and a kit from any home improvement store. Have railings on both sides of a staircase if possible.

Apply non-slip stair treads. Peel-and-stick rubber or carpet stair treads are inexpensive and easy to install. If you have hardwood stairs, the added grip is especially important. Make sure each tread lies flat — use a roller or press firmly along the edges to prevent curling.

Improve the lighting. Many falls happen because something simply wasn't seen. Add plug-in LED night lights along hallways and at the top and bottom of stairs. Motion-activated lights are ideal — they come on automatically when you enter a dark space without your needing to find a switch. These are purely plug-in; no wiring required.

Secure or remove loose rugs. A throw rug with a curled edge or no backing is a classic fall hazard. Either remove them entirely or add double-sided carpet tape and non-slip rug pads underneath. Tape the edges down completely.

Living Areas

Clear the walking paths. Go through each room and identify the routes you travel most — from the sofa to the kitchen, from the bed to the bathroom. Clear those paths of furniture, cords, and clutter. Extension cords crossing the floor should be rerouted along baseboards and secured with cable clips.

Secure area rugs throughout the home. The same advice applies here as on stairs — use non-slip backing and tape the edges. If a rug is worn, rippled, or doesn't lie flat, retire it.

Make sure chairs and sofas are easy to rise from. Low, soft seating is notoriously hard to get up from. Firm cushions help. Sofa "risers" — blocks that go under furniture legs — elevate your seat height to make standing easier and are widely available online. Chair leg risers are a simple, no-tool option.

Bedroom

Add a bed rail or grab bar near the bed. Free-standing bed rails that slide under the mattress require no installation and provide a sturdy handhold for getting in and out of bed at night. This is particularly important if the bed is high.

Put a night light or bedside lamp within easy reach. Never cross a dark room at night if you can avoid it. A touch lamp or one with a large, easy-to-find switch on the nightstand is ideal. If you need to get up in the night, turn on the light before getting out of bed.

Keep frequently needed items accessible. Avoid reaching to high shelves for things you use daily. Rearrange your closet and cabinets so what you need most often is between shoulder and hip height.

Garage, Entryways, and Outdoors

Add a handrail to exterior steps. If your front or back steps lack a railing, installing one is a manageable project with a post-mount handrail kit. These typically anchor into concrete with expansion bolts or into wood with lag screws.

Install a motion-sensor light at entries. Arriving home after dark and fumbling for your key while standing on steps is a recipe for a misstep. A plug-in or battery-powered motion-sensor light eliminates that moment of navigating in the dark.

Address uneven pavement. Small lips or cracks in a sidewalk or driveway path are easy to miss. If patching with concrete is beyond your comfort zone, use a concrete patching compound — available in pre-mixed tubes — to fill cracks and smooth edges. Mark larger hazards with bright paint until they can be repaired.

Keep entry mats stable. The mat at your door should lie flat and have non-slip backing. Replace any mat that has become worn or tends to slide.

A Few General Habits Worth Adopting

The physical changes to your home go a long way, but a few habits reinforce them:

Wear shoes or non-slip slippers indoors. Socks on hardwood or tile are hazardous. Footwear with a firm sole and back provides far better stability.

Rise slowly from a seated position. Sit at the edge of the seat for a moment, plant your feet firmly, and push up with your arms rather than rocking forward.

Carry things wisely. Keep one hand free when navigating the house, especially on stairs. Use a backpack, apron pockets, or a small rolling cart to transport things rather than carrying a load that blocks your view or throws off your balance.

A safer home doesn't require a major renovation — just attention, a few hours, and the right supplies. The investments you make now protect your independence for years to come.