Senior Home Safety Tips for a Secure Living Environment
Enhance senior home safety with tips on shower bars, exterior lighting, kitchen upgrades, living room precautions, stairway and hallway improvements, and bedroom essentials.
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SENIOR SERVICES OF ALEXANDRIA HOME SAFETY TIPS Presented by Peter Crouch, Associate Broker Crouch Realty Group at McEnearney Associates
Exterior and Entries Lighting Is Crucial Walkways Solar stick-in-ground lighting works very well Entry Doors Must be well lit so you can see out and visitors can approach safely. Consider light bulbs that turn off and on automatically when the sun sets & rises Consider a slide-bolt on the inside so you can open the door a few inches safely Large house numbers Lever Handle door locks Handrails where more than 2 steps. Preferably on both sides Lockbox for an extra key
Kitchen Lighting again! General vs Task Lighting. Refrigerator when replacing, consider French Door - Two doors on top of a bottom freezer. Range when replacing, make sure controls are on the front, not way back. Microwaves many safety experts recommend counter-top or built into lower cabinets. Lower cabinets pull-out drawers whenever possible. Contrasting colors or patterns between floor and countertops. GFI Outlets within 6 feet of water.
Living/Family Room Guess what??? Make sure walkways are well lit. Consider motion-sensor night lights All electrical cords should be against the wall or covered with non- trip trim Consider Wall Sconces if there is not overhead lighting on a switch Area Rugs need thin non-skid pads under them, and double-sided tape at the corners. Don't let Cousin Ralph install your wall-mounted TV. Hire a pro. Lighting!!!!
Stairways and Hallways TWO HANDRAILS!!!!!! "Returns" on the handrails Lighting - every step should be well-lit Switches at top and bottom of stairs, and at each end of a hall Safest covering for stairs is tightly woven, low-pile carpet with thin padding Uncarpeted steps? Non-slip surface such as adhesive non-skid strips
Bedrooms Yes: Lighting!!! overhead or bedside table light. Switch at the door should operate an There are lights you can get now that come with a remote, so you can turn them on at the door, and off while in bed Nightlight(s) should lead toward the Bathroom Area rugs double-sided tape for the corners Secure tall furniture to the wall A window should always open for emergencies (if you painted recently, make sure they are un-stuck!)
Bathroom Lighting, of course High-Boy Toilet Grab Bars newer are less "industrial" feeling. There are grab bars for the tub/shower, plus ones disguised as TP holders and shower knobs Rubberized, non-skid bathmats Rubberized strips in the tub Go with a no-step or low-step entry into a shower if you remodel.
General & Seasonal Any electrical outlets near a water source should be GFI. Kitchen, baths, exterior, garage Smoke Detectors every level and every room. Replace every 10 yrs. Write the date of installation on them. CO Detectors every level. 10 yrs Fire Extinguishers Kitchen, near furnace, bedroom level, garage Fall: Clear leaves off walkways, especially after rain Winter: Service the Furnace. Clean the gutters, have non- salt ice melt near exterior doors
Resources AARP HomeFit Guide AARP.com/homefit National Ass'n of Home Builders Certified Age-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) NAHB.com/CAPS Deltafaucet.com search for "Grab Bars"
Pete Crouch & Katie Garcia-Crouch Specializing in 50+ Moves: It is all about having a plan! We help from the early planning stages, through the downsizing process, moving, and finally the real estate aspect. 30+ years helping Northern Virginia Seniors! Recipients of the National "Outstanding Service Award" from the Seniors Council of the National Association of Realtors. Pete: 703-244-4024 and Pete@CrouchRealtyGroup.com Katie: 703-447-1345 and Kathryn@CrouchRealtyGroup.com Recipient: National Outstanding Service Award, SRES
