It is important to feel as safe and confident as we can in our own homes. However, throughout life we may face certain obstacles that knock our confidence. We may experience mobility difficulties or have a medical condition that increases our risk of falling. It is important to know that you will be safe if you experience an accident.
At Carelink24, our mission is to keep people safe in the comfort of their own homes. Our personal alarms support independence by making calling for help as easy as the press of a button. Of course, it’s always best to avoid needing help, so we have compiled a list of simple ways to improve safety in your home.
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1. Remove Trip Hazards
Trips and falls are a leading cause of accidents in the home. This could be the edges of rugs, door stops, or general clutter. Removing these or storing them off the floor will reduce the risk of tripping in the home, which can lead to severe injury. If an item cannot be removed or replaced, consider using products that reduce the risk. For example, taping down the edges of rugs is a great way of improving safety in the home. Furthermore, consider choosing the right type of footwear. Read our guide to the top slippers for some inspiration.
2. Keep Things at Arms Reach
If you are finding it difficult to reach the mugs on your top shelf, for example, move them to a lower one. Reaching can strain your back, but you’re also at risk of falling over when struggling to reach something that is too high for you. You should avoid bending over, too, as this can impact your balance. If items cannot be kept in arms reach, or if you drop something, why not consider using a reaching aid?
3. Buy a Personal Alarm
Knowing that help is available when you need it can help you maintain independence at home and improve your safety. With a personal alarm system, you wear a pendant on your wrist or around your neck that is connected to an alarm base unit. When help is needed, you simply press the button on your pendant or the base unit and our 24/7 Care Team answer your call. They will arrange help for you by calling friends or family. Having a personal alarm helps to improve safety in the home by making it easy to get the help you need, rather than waiting hours for someone to check on you.
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4. Evaluate Your Layout
Improving your safety in the home may require you to reorganise. Perhaps move your bedroom downstairs if you struggle with going upstairs. Keep walkways clear and well-lit, and ensure you have space to move around in every room. Also consider installing handrails in rooms where you may struggle to move around. Finally, you may want to consider transforming your grassy garden to tiles or stones if you are struggling to mow the grass or maintain the landscaping.
5. Maintain Every Fixture
This means making sure features such as your stairwell banister or light fixtures are well-maintained and not damaged. If a banister was to come away from the wall, or a light fixture spark, this could result in serious injury. Damage should be repaired as soon as possible; call a professional to help, especially with electrics. It is not worth putting yourself in harm’s way when someone else can do it for a minor fee.
6. Invest in a Key Safe
If a person needs access to your home and you are unable to let them in, a key safe allows them to retrieve your house key with minimum effort. All they need is your unique code. A key safe is invaluable for keeping you safe in the home, as you will not need to risk tripping or losing your balance when answering the door. They are also perfect for an emergency. If you have activated your alarm and a loved one or the emergency services need to access your home, they can use the key safe to help them gain entry.
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How Carelink24 Can Support Safety in the Home
We hope these tips for improving safety in the home provide some help to those who need it. However, sometimes these simple tips cannot provide the reassurance one needs. Therefore it is worth exploring the idea of a Personal Alarm.
A personal alarm from Carelink24 provides 24/7 peace of mind. If you have a fall or other emergency, simply press the button on your pendant alarm. This will connect you to our professional Care Team, who will be able to arrange the help you need.
For more information, read our guide to the Carelink alarm service or give us a call on 0800 0076 247. You can also order an alarm online.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 8th January 2024 to reflect current information.
