A huge proportion of injuries occur in the home. Identifying hazards is the first step in preventing this. The following home injury prevention checklist could be the difference between staying at home or a trip to the hospital.

We all feel we have an instinctual, encyclopaedic knowledge of the home and can spot any hazards. Unfortunately, having too much confidence or familiarity with the home can lead to a fall, trip, stumble or cut which can go on to become more serious.

When considering home safety and security it’s also worth making sure that your insurance is up to date. For more information about insurance options and even an online quote visit AMI.

Being injured in the home is common

There are a range of ways that injuries happen at home.

• - Pets running underfoot
•  - Familiar objects left on the ground, in the path of where a person walks
• - Hard surfaces including tiles and concrete are unforgiving surfaces to fall on
• - Age makes bones less dense and more prone to breakage
• You may wish to print the following checklist so you can note on it anything which needs fixing, changing, updating, clearing or washing.

Reducing the likelihood of a trip or fall

• - Declutter walkways of boxes, newspapers, magazines, ottomans, low tables and toys
• - Electrical cords and wires should be taped down
• - Carpets and rugs should be laid flat with no curled-up edges
• - Rubber backing on a rug will reduce the likelihood of tripping/ rug movement
• - Create clear walkways by keeping furniture pushed aside to the walls

Main living areas

• - Chairs should be easy to get into and out of. If elderly or physically limited, then consider an electric rising chair or a handrail on the nearest wall
• - A landline telephone can contribute to a fall. Ideally, the phone should be at chest height to minimise the likelihood of losing your balance when reaching for it in a hurry
• - Thoroughfares including hallways, stairs and corridors need to have lighting so any trip hazards are easy to spot

The toilet and bathroom – where water and tiles can cause a fall

• - Being able to reach towel, soap and shampoo without walking across a wet surface reduces the likelihood of slipping and falling (and the bathroom is likely far from a telephone if you need to call emergency services, making it even more dangerous)
• - Having the soap in a deep dish helps ensure the soap isn’t lost on the floor so you don’t have to bend over for it, let alone having the soap get underfoot causing a slip
• - Installing a handrail for the bath, shower and toilet can prevent falls
• - Non-slip adhesive mats in the shower to avoid falls on slippery baths/ shower floors
• - Floor mats on the bathroom floor absorb water and reduce the risk of slipping.

The bedroom

• - There are many aspects of the bedroom involving electrical cords. Cords lead to lamps, electric blankets, bedside clock radios and televisions. Try and have these cords invisible, tucked away under the bed or rug
• - It’s essential to be able to get in and out of bed easily. If there is no place to put your weight when stopping to get into bed – such as putting your weight against the wall or a chest of drawers – it’s possible to stumble and fall. 
• - Light switches and lamps shouldn’t be difficult to reach.
• - Having a phone, cradle and power charger in the bedroom minimise the risk that you’ll be far from help should a fall occur. 
• - It’s important to be able to easily switch on light should you need to get to the toilet at night.

The kitchen – a source of many hazards

1. - Knives should be put away in a knife holder
2. - If the floor is linoleum or tiled, it’s important to keep water off it. Have towels or a mop handy at all times and clean up any spills promptly
3. - Store knives and forks sharp-side-down in the dishwasher basket
4. - It’s essential to be able to reach kitchen items without having to extend yourself too far. Keep these items to the forefront of the bench or breakfast bar
5. - Be mindful around the stove, and don’t have flammable items like curtains, towels or oven mitts anywhere they could ignite.

Hazards around the yard, deck and patio

• - Black ice or invisible frost are a problem in winter. Try and reduce this threat by putting sand or gravel down after a frost
• - Handrails and other weight-assisting options will help reduce the likelihood of a slip when walking up and down stairs
• - Don’t allow taps to drip on an outside tiled surface during winter as ice or slippery lichen may form
• - Garden path steps need to be easy to see, whether small or large. Consider painting the steps or lining with solar powered garden lights which glow at night
• - Waterblast any concrete paths that are slippery, this will remove any slime or moss.

Keeping yourself safe

• - Having your eyesight, glasses and contact lenses regularly checked will reduce chances of stumbling over something unseen
• - Slippers or indoor shoes with non-slip rubber soles are essential
• - Indoor footwear shouldn’t have a high heel, as this can lead to stumbling, twisting an ankle or breaking a hip on a hard surface