Dr. Geoffrey Westrich, , an orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York

City, recommends going room to room to ensure your home is as fall-proof as possible.

GENERAL TIPS:

• Ensure that the home is free of hazards like slippery floors, unsecured rugs and poorly lit areas.

• Install handrails, grab bars and other safety devices.

• Wear properly fitting shoes with non-skid soles.

• Engage in regular, moderate amounts of physical activity to maintain strength, coordination,

agility and balance.

• Get an eye examination and physical each year, and wear glasses if needed.

• Check the side effects of all your prescription and over-the-counter medications and take

proper precautions. Medications can cause drowsiness and interfere with balance.

• Eat a nutritionally balanced diet with adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.

• Avoid excessive alcohol intake.

STAIRS AND STEPS

• Install light switches at both the top and bottom of the stairs.

• Provide enough light to see each step and the top and bottom landings.

• Keep flashlights nearby in case of a power outage.

• Install handrails on both sides of the stairway and be sure to use them.

• Do not leave objects on the stairs.

• Consider installing motion detector lights to light your stairway.

• Put non-slip treads on each bare-wood step.

• Do not use patterned, dark or deep-pile carpeting. Solid colors show the edges of steps more clearly.

• Do not place loose area rugs at the bottom or top of stairs.

• Repair loose stairway carpeting or boards immediately.

BATHROOM

• Place a slip-resistant rug adjacent to the bathtub for safe exit and entry.

• Mount a liquid soap dispenser on the bathtub/shower wall.

• Place nonskid adhesive textured strips on the bathtub/shower floor.

• Replace glass shower enclosures with non-shattering material.

BEDROOM

• Clear clutter from the floor.

• Place a lamp and flashlight near your bed.

• Install night lights along the route between the bedroom and the bathroom.

• Sleep on a bed that is easy to get into and out of.

• Keep a telephone near your bed.

LIVING AREAS

• Arrange furniture to create clear pathways between rooms.

• Remove low coffee tables, magazine racks, foot rests and plants from pathways in rooms.

• Install easy-access light switches at entrances to rooms so you won't have to walk into a dark

room to turn on the light. Glow-in-the-dark switches may be helpful.

• Secure loose area rugs with double-faced tape or slip-resistant backing. Recheck these rugs

periodically.

• Keep electric, appliance and telephone cords out of your pathways, but don't put cords under a rug.

• Place carpeting over concrete, ceramic and marble floors to lessen the severity of injury if you fall.

• Repair loose wooden floorboards immediately.

KITCHEN

• Remove throw rugs.

• Immediately clean up any liquid, grease or food spilled on the floor.

• Store food, dishes and cooking equipment at easy-to-reach waist-high level.

• Don't stand on chairs or boxes to reach upper cabinets. Use only a step stool with an attached

handrail so you are supported.

• Repair loose flooring.

• Use non-skid floor wax.