Fall-Proofing Your Home: The Questions People Actually Ask
Fall-Proofing Your Home: straight answers to the questions people actually ask, with the figures behind them.
Simple changes to the home that lower the risk of falls for older adults and young children.
Key takeaways
- Older adults: about 1 in 4 adults 65 and older reports a fall each year
- Common hazards: loose rugs, clutter, poor lighting and stairs without railings
- Most useful single change: Remove throw rugs or secure them with double-sided tape.
- Commonest mistake: Standing on chairs to reach high shelves.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
What is Fall-Proofing Your Home?
Simple changes to the home that lower the risk of falls for older adults and young children.
Why does it matter?
About 1 in 4 adults 65 and older reports falling each year, and many falls happen at home where hazards can be fixed.
Older adults for Fall-Proofing Your Home?
About 1 in 4 adults 65 and older reports a fall each year.
Common hazards for Fall-Proofing Your Home?
Loose rugs, clutter, poor lighting and stairs without railings.
Young children for Fall-Proofing Your Home?
Window guards and safety gates help prevent falls.
What is the single most useful thing to do?
Remove throw rugs or secure them with double-sided tape.
What is the most common mistake?
Standing on chairs to reach high shelves.
When should I see a doctor?
Tell your doctor about any fall, even if you were not hurt, since it can signal a treatable problem. Call 911 if someone cannot get up, hit their head while taking blood thinners, or has severe pain, confusion or a possible broken bone.
More questions, answered
Is falling just a normal part of getting older?
No. While risk rises with age, many falls can be prevented by improving strength and balance, reviewing medicines, checking vision and making the home safer. Tell your doctor about any fall so the causes can be addressed.
Do window screens stop children from falling?
No. Screens are designed to keep insects out, not to hold a child's weight. Use window guards or stops that limit opening to 4 inches or less, and keep furniture away from windows so children cannot climb up to them.
How do I get up safely after a fall?
Stay still for a moment and check for injury. If you feel able, roll onto your side, get onto your hands and knees and crawl to a sturdy chair. Use it to push up slowly. If you are hurt or cannot get up, call for help and keep warm.
What type of exercise is best for preventing falls?
Exercises that combine strength and balance training, such as tai chi or programs designed by physical therapists, have the strongest evidence. Walking is good for overall health but does not improve balance as much on its own.
Are pets a fall hazard?
Pets can be a tripping hazard, especially small animals that move underfoot. Consider a bell on their collar, keep pet toys picked up and be aware of where your pet is, especially at night.
Should I stop using stairs to avoid falls?
Not necessarily. Using stairs safely can help maintain strength. Make sure there are sturdy railings on both sides, good lighting and no clutter. If stairs feel unsafe, talk to your doctor or a physical therapist.
Related topics
- Falls Prevention: What Published Guidance Supports (Bone and Joint)
- Child Safety at Home: What Published Guidance Supports (Children's Health)
- Strength and Balance in Later Life: What Published Guidance Supports (Healthy Aging)
- Foot Care in Later Life: What the Evidence Actually Says (Foot Health)
Where to go next
- The Fall-Proofing Your Home Checklist: What to Do and What to Skip
- What People Get Wrong About Fall-Proofing Your Home
- Fall-Proofing Your Home — the reference entry
- Injury Prevention: The Complete Guide
- The Evidence on Safe Firearm Storage, Without the Hype
- Bike and Helmet Safety: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
When to speak to a doctor
Tell your doctor about any fall, even if you were not hurt, since it can signal a treatable problem. Call 911 if someone cannot get up, hit their head while taking blood thinners, or has severe pain, confusion or a possible broken bone.
Where this comes from
- CDC — Older Adult Fall Prevention
- National Institute on Aging — Falls and Fractures in Older Adults
- American Academy of Pediatrics — Falls Prevention
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.
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