We provide this free safety resource to visitors of the Community Room of SeniorSSuperStoreS in an effort to keep baby boomers, seniors and the elderly informed of matters that can affect their lifestyle.

One of the biggest fears for adults caring for senior-aged relatives or loved ones is the individual being injured in a fall. As winter eases, especially in areas of the country where snow and ice occur, it is easy to believe the risk of falls is reduced. However, the majority of harmful falls seniors suffer do not occur out of doors.

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the majority of falls for people over age 65 occur in the home. There are everyday fall hazards around the home that can be significantly reduced.

A quick, but complete, inspection for fall hazards is an important step towards safety. Adults who live a distance from a senior can hire a qualified senior care agency to conduct a fall safety inspection.

To reduce the risk of falls, start by inspecting each room in the home. In all areas, look for loose carpeting and rugs. Check to make sure cords and wires are taped against walls and out of traffic areas. Inspect any handrails near stairs or other inclines to ensure they are the proper height for the senior and fastened securely. In all areas, look for proper lighting and burned out light bulbs.

Lighting is something that is easy to overlook. Seniors may have a hard time replacing a burned out bulb in the ceiling, so over time a multi-bulb fixture puts out less and less light. And, aging people may experience diminishing eyesight, making it harder to see in dim lighting.

The bathroom is one area where fall hazards abound. Consider placing non-slip surfaces in the tub or shower. We feature a quality product, known as TreadSafe Tub and Shower Slip-Resistant Treatment Kit, that has been used only in health care institutions and hotels. We encourage you to view the features of this product in our Safety Products department.

Similarly, grab bars and rails are a good way to reduce falls around the tub and toilet. We also feature several bath grab bars, rails and transfer seats in our Bathing and Grooming department. Bath mats or other small rugs should have non-slip backings. It is a good idea to install a night-light in the bathroom to improve visibility upon entry.

The bedroom is another area where falls can occur, because seniors are changing levels from lying to sitting to standing. It is best to have a clear path from the bed to the bathroom. A bedside table should have a sturdy lamp and a place for eyeglasses to aid getting out of bed. It also is recommended that a chair be placed in the room to aid dressing. We also feature a number of inexpensive safety products designed to provide more security for seniors in our Safety Products department.

These are just a few tips to minimize the risk for falls for seniors. These seem like common sense ideas, but if someone doesn't live close enough to the senior, these things may not be getting done. Bringing in someone for a short safety inspection can be a very good investment. Ask around for a good local agency, or you might contact rightathome.net, a national franchise organization of such agencies.

There are additional areas of household safety that are not as obvious. Seniors should have routine eye examinations to check for diminishing eyesight or update prescription glasses. The senior, family or caregiver should talk to a physician to determine if prescription medications increase the risk of falls. A family member or caregiver also should encourage the senior to do regular light exercise to improve his or her physical condition. Perhaps the most important safety step is to have a family member or caregiver make routine contact with the senior to ensure they have not suffered an accident.

Finally, we feature telephone and other alerting devices designed for seniors to alert emergency personnel and family members in our Phones and Pagers department.