Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging Back to Previous Spotlight On June is Home Safety Month June 2006 Our home is the place where we feel safe, comfortable and the most at ease. However, 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 Administration Aging joins with the Home Safety Council in recognizing June as Home Safety Month. The summer is a busy travel time for millions of American’s. As you make our way across the country or prepare your home for visiting friends and family, take a few minutes to do a safety inspection and take preventive action to keep your family and households safe. The following tips and checklists may help you. The National Institute on Aging recommends you inspect the following to avoid slips, falls and other accidents: In stairways, hallways, and pathways Keep areas where you walk tidy. Install good lighting with light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs. Check that all carpets are fixed firmly to the floor to avoid slipping. If needed, put no-slip strips on tile and wooden floors (may be purchased at hardware stores). Mount handrails on both sides of the stairs – from top to bottom – and be sure they’re tightly fastened. In bathrooms and powder rooms: Place non-skid mats, strips, or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet. Mount grab bars near toilets and on both the inside and outside of your tub and shower. In your bedroom: Put night lights and light switches close to your bed. Keep your telephone near your bed. In other living areas: Keep electric cords and telephone wires near walls and away from walking paths. Tack down all carpets and area rugs firmly to the floor. Arrange your furniture (especially low coffee tables) and other objects so they are not in the way when you walk. Make sure sofas and chairs are a good height for you, so that you can get into and out of them easily. See the U.S. Administration on Aging’s Fact Sheet on Home Modification See the National Institute of Aging’s publication on Preventing Falls and Fractures: Preventing Falls – NIH (English PDF) Click here for Spanish text: (Spanish PDF) Escaping the heat: Visit at-risk individuals at least twice a day. Watch for signs of heat-related illness such as hot, dry skin, confusion, hallucinations, and aggression. Visit air-conditioned buildings in your community if your home is not air conditioned. These might include designated “cooling centers” that are often located at local libraries, Area Agency on Aging Senior Centers, Parks and Recreation, and local malls. Take a cool shower or bath. Drink lots of fluids. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. If a doctor limits your fluid intake, make sure to ask how much to drink when it’s hot. Avoid beverages containing caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar. These drinks cause dehydration. Ask your doctor or other health care provider if the medications you take could increase your susceptibility to heat-related illness. Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing. Call 9-1-1 if medical attention is needed. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides Excessive Heat preparation tips for those who are most likely to suffer during this time of year. Vulnerable groups include: Older Adults : As people get older, the body’s ability to cool itself may not work as well as it used to. People with health problems : People who are sick are at greater risk of extreme heat. Some medicines may make it harder for the body to cool off. Being overweight also makes it harder for the body to cool off. People that Live on Top Floors: People who live on the top floors of buildings are more at risk because heat rises and it is often warmer there than on lower floors. People with No Air-conditioning: People who do not have air conditioning are also likely to experience problems during heat events. Bed Ridden: People who are not able to get out of the house and go to places where it is cooler are also at risk. Click here for more information on heat-related signs of illness: A few Checklists to help as you “troubleshoot” – they’re easy to access print and take whenever you travel this summer. Click here to quickly Create Your Own Home Safety Checklist – it’s practical and easy: Click here for a Shopping List of home safety solutions: Click here for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Swimming Pool Safety Alert: Back to Previous