Safety Check: What to Look For in 10 Minutes

You don't need a contractor or a checklist app to catch most fall hazards, just ten focused minutes walking through the house the way your parent actually moves through it.

1: Start at the front door

Is there a step with no rail? Adequate lighting at night? A clear, dry path with no loose mats?

2: Move through the hallways

Check for cords running across walkways, dim spots between rooms, and any furniture narrowing the path more than it needs to.

3: Check every rug

Anything without a non-slip backing is a hazard, especially at the edges of rooms or on hard flooring. This one's worth its own conversation, see the Removing Rugs Without a Fight article if it's a sensitive topic.

4: Stand in the bathroom

Is there a grab bar within reach of the toilet and shower? Is the floor slippery when wet? Is nighttime lighting enough to prevent a fall on a 2am trip?

5: Look at the stairs

Handrails on both sides, secure and not wobbly, with clear lighting at the top and bottom. Note any single loose step, these tend to get fixed less often than they should.

6: Check the kitchen

Frequently used items within easy reach, without needing a step stool. A clear, uncluttered floor path from counter to table.

7: Check the bedroom

A clear path from bed to bathroom, ideally with a night light along the way, and a lamp or switch reachable from bed without crossing the room in the dark.

Note it, don't fix it all today. Write down what you find rather than trying to solve everything in one visit. A running list turns into a manageable project rather than an overwhelming one.

Next step: Once you have your list, the 7 Bathroom Fixes and Grab Bars 101 articles cover the highest-priority improvements in more depth.