Preventing Falls in the Home

Preventing falls in the home is vital to preventing something horrible from happening to someone you care about. Twenty percent of falls occur in the home, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Broken bones, contusions, and concussions are not uncommon, and these injuries can have lasting consequences for a person's health. Homeowners must take steps to minimize the risks of falls. Many common hazards in homes put residents and visitors at risk.

Best Tips in Preventing Falls in the Home

Consider these tips to ensure your home is safe and fall-free.

Invest in Ample Lighting

Lack of visibility is one of the common causes of falls. It is especially true at night when it's dark, and there's no easily accessible light switch. Looking for the light switch in the dark is a surefire recipe for a fall. Thus, ample lighting is imperative if you want to make your home safe. Most people don't want to waste energy by leaving lights on constantly, but you can install motion-activated lights that automatically turn on if you get out of bed. The homeowner can activate some lights by clapping, eliminating the need to walk in the dark.

Eliminate Any Trip Hazards

Darkness isn't the only hazard that could cause a person to fall. Sometimes some objects increase your risk, too. If there is a wrinkle in the carpet, for example, it could easily cause a person to trip and fall, injuring themselves. Small rugs and rippled carpeting can increase the likelihood of this. If there is any clutter obstructing the floor, this is also a dangerous hazard that you must eliminate.

Install Supports and Handles

If you are elderly or someone frequently visits your home, installing supports is another strategy that may minimize the potential of a fall. Securing the handrails along a stairway, for example, will prevent a fall that a flimsy railing could cause. Stairs aren't the only place where falls can happen. Falls in the bathroom are also common. Homeowners can prevent this by installing railings in showers and close to toilets. This additional support can provide stability to users.

Minimize Your Personal Liability

Sometimes, a fall happens despite being careful and investing in prevention strategies. If this occurs on your property, your first concern will be seeking medical attention for the individual who fell. After that, you might be worried about the potential hit to your homeowners' insurance. The individual who fell could hold you liable and seek damages, which may impact your home insurance rates — but your homeowners' insurance might not even cover this liability. You may need to invest in personal umbrella insurance to protect yourself from risks like this. Umbrella insurance coverage tailors toward your unique exposures.

About David G. Sayles Insurance Services

At David G. Sayles Insurance Services, we help our clients decide which of these options is best for them based on their current situation and risk factors. Contact us at 1-855-977-1842 or insureme@dsayles.mysites.io for a consultation!