Articles

Home Base can be “Home Safe”

By: Mary Ellen Tomlinson

In the game of baseball, “safe” means to successfully evade being caught by the players on the opposite team to arrive at home plate. Planning makes the difference between hearing the referee shout out at home plate “safe” or “out”. Safe is the word we want to hear.

Older folks need to be “home safe,” too. A well organized home can keep older folks safe from falls and scalds, which are two major hazards for permanent disability. Injuries from falls are one of the primary reasons seniors are placed in Long Term Care Facilities, and they are the leading cause of death from injury for the elderly. Rugs, electrical cords and stairs are the principal culprits for falls in the home.

A rug’s beauty is not worth a broken hip; if a rug’s edge is not flat to the floor it can trip people. Apply double-sided tape to anchor the rug edges flat to the floor. If you can’t get the rug’s edges to stay flat, the rug must go.

Reading lights and phones close to a favourite chair are convenient, but if the cords dangle loose then these cords can cause falls. Make sure cords are clear from pathways; anchor them to the floor and use duct tape if necessary. Don’t be embarrassed to use duct tape in your home, it is now considered to be a Canadian badge of honour!

Hallways need safe non-skid flooring surfaces, and carpets in good repair. Check floors and stairs surfaces in your home to make sure they are unobstructed, well lit and free of clutter. Put a nightlight between the bedroom and the bathroom. In the middle of the night, it will light the way and prevent the hazard of tripping or banging into obstacles.

Kitchens and bathrooms need extra attention since they are considered to be the most dangerous rooms in the house. Small appliance electrical cords should be curled up and not left to dangle. Better yet, use cordless appliances. Turn pots and pan handles to the side, or towards the back of the stove so that they don’t accidentally tangle in shirtsleeves or housecoat sleeves and spill hot foods or hot liquids. Wipe spills off the floor immediately. Bathrooms need grab-bars next to the tub or in the shower. Use tub or floor mats with rubber or non-skid under surfaces. Again wipe up all spills on the floors immediately. Set the hot water heater thermostat at 125 degrees; this temperature offers water hot enough for washing, but not so hot that it will scald, or burn skin.

Finally, clear out household clutter to remove needless obstacles. Local charities and recycling depots will take the stuff you not longer use. The Canadian Diabetes Association will even pick up donations. In the Toronto area, their phone number is 416-746-5757. Safety proofing your home requires planning. Precautions and planning can make the difference between being caught off guard by an injury or being home safe.