Home Safety Audit Guide
Identify and fix fall hazards to help your loved one age safely at home. This room-by-room guide helps you spot dangers and make simple modifications that prevent serious injuries.
Why Home Safety Matters
1 in 4
Seniors fall each year in the United States
3 Million
Emergency room visits annually due to falls
95%
Of hip fractures are caused by falling
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults. The good news? Most falls can be prevented with simple home modifications and awareness.
As we age, changes in vision, balance, strength, and reaction time increase fall risk. Many seniors want to remain in their homes as long as possible—and with the right safety modifications, that's entirely achievable. This guide walks you through a comprehensive home safety audit, room by room, to identify hazards and implement fixes that reduce fall risk and promote independent living.
Room-by-Room Safety Audit
Use this checklist to inspect each area of the home for potential hazards.
Hazards to Look For:
- • Loose or torn carpeting, rugs, or runners
- • Clutter, shoes, or objects on the floor
- • Poor lighting or burnt-out bulbs
- • Slippery floors (tile, hardwood)
- • Uneven thresholds between rooms
- • Lack of handrails on stairs
- • Extension cords crossing walkways
Safety Fixes:
- ✓ Remove or secure all area rugs with non-slip backing or double-sided tape
- ✓ Clear hallways and entryways of all clutter, shoes, and obstacles
- ✓ Install bright LED bulbs (at least 100-watt equivalent) in all fixtures
- ✓ Add night lights along hallway paths and near stairs
- ✓ Install handrails on both sides of all stairways
- ✓ Mark the edges of steps with bright tape for visibility
- ✓ Secure or reroute electrical cords along walls, not across walkways
- ✓ Repair loose carpeting or flooring immediately
Hazards to Look For:
- • Low furniture that's difficult to see or navigate around
- • Unstable furniture (wobbly tables, chairs)
- • Cords from lamps, phones, or electronics
- • Pets or pet toys underfoot
- • Items stored on high shelves requiring a ladder or step stool
- • Slippery throw rugs
Safety Fixes:
- ✓ Arrange furniture to create wide, clear pathways (at least 3 feet wide)
- ✓ Remove or stabilize wobbly furniture; consider furniture risers for low seating
- ✓ Use cord organizers or tape cords securely along baseboards
- ✓ Keep pet food, water, and toys in designated areas away from walkways
- ✓ Move frequently used items to lower shelves (waist to shoulder height)
- ✓ Remove throw rugs or secure them with non-slip backing
- ✓ Ensure seating has sturdy armrests to assist with standing
- ✓ Install light switches at room entrances for easy access
Hazards to Look For:
- • Slippery floors from spills or wax
- • Items stored on high shelves requiring step stools
- • Unstable step stools or chairs used for reaching
- • Poor lighting over work areas
- • Loose rugs in front of the sink
- • Heavy pots and pans stored overhead
Safety Fixes:
- ✓ Clean spills immediately; use non-slip floor mats (not rugs)
- ✓ Store frequently used items at waist to shoulder height
- ✓ Use a sturdy step stool with handrail if reaching is necessary
- ✓ Install under-cabinet lighting and bright overhead lights
- ✓ Remove throw rugs or use non-slip mats designed for kitchens
- ✓ Store heavy cookware in lower cabinets or on countertops
- ✓ Use a reacher/grabber tool for high or low items
- ✓ Consider installing pull-out shelves in lower cabinets
Hazards to Look For:
- • Slippery tub or shower floor
- • Lack of grab bars near toilet and in shower/tub
- • Wet floors from shower splash
- • Bathmats that slide
- • Low toilet seat
- • Poor lighting, especially at night
- • Clutter on counters or floor
Safety Fixes:
- ✓ Install non-slip adhesive strips or a rubber mat in tub/shower
- ✓ Install grab bars (not towel bars!) near toilet, in shower, and by tub
- ✓ Use a shower curtain or door to contain water
- ✓ Replace bath mats with non-slip rubber mats
- ✓ Install a raised toilet seat (adds 3-5 inches of height)
- ✓ Add bright lighting and a night light for nighttime use
- ✓ Consider a shower chair or bench for seated bathing
- ✓ Install a handheld showerhead for easier use
- ✓ Keep counters and floors clear of products and towels
Hazards to Look For:
- • Bed too high or too low
- • Clutter on floor (shoes, clothes, books)
- • Poor lighting, especially near bed
- • Lack of clear path to bathroom at night
- • Loose rugs beside the bed
- • Cords from lamps or phone chargers
Safety Fixes:
- ✓ Adjust bed height so feet touch the floor when sitting on edge
- ✓ Keep floor clear of all clutter, especially the path to the bathroom
- ✓ Place a lamp within easy reach of the bed with a touch or large switch
- ✓ Install night lights along the path from bed to bathroom
- ✓ Remove or secure bedside rugs with non-slip backing
- ✓ Secure cords along walls or use cord organizers
- ✓ Keep a flashlight or phone on the nightstand for emergencies
- ✓ Consider installing a bed rail for assistance getting in/out of bed
Hazards to Look For:
- • Missing or loose handrails
- • Poor lighting at top and bottom of stairs
- • Worn or loose carpeting on steps
- • Items stored on stairs
- • Uneven or broken steps
- • Lack of visual contrast on step edges
Safety Fixes:
- ✓ Install sturdy handrails on BOTH sides of stairway
- ✓ Ensure handrails extend beyond the top and bottom steps
- ✓ Install bright lighting at top and bottom with switches at both ends
- ✓ Repair or replace worn carpeting; ensure it's securely fastened
- ✓ Keep stairs completely clear—never store items on steps
- ✓ Repair any broken or uneven steps immediately
- ✓ Apply bright tape or paint to mark the edge of each step
- ✓ Consider installing a stair lift if stairs are too difficult
Hazards to Look For:
- • Cracked or uneven sidewalks and driveways
- • Lack of handrails on outdoor steps
- • Poor lighting at entrances
- • Wet leaves, ice, or snow on walkways
- • Loose gravel or stones
- • Garden hoses or tools left in walkways
Safety Fixes:
- ✓ Repair cracks and uneven surfaces in walkways
- ✓ Install handrails on all outdoor steps (even 1-2 steps)
- ✓ Add motion-sensor lights at all entrances and along walkways
- ✓ Keep walkways clear of leaves, ice, and snow; use salt or sand
- ✓ Replace loose gravel with solid paving
- ✓ Store hoses, tools, and equipment away from walkways
- ✓ Paint step edges with bright, reflective paint
- ✓ Consider installing a ramp if steps are too difficult
Essential Safety Equipment & Modifications
- Grab bars (bathroom, hallways, stairs)
- Non-slip mats (tub, shower, kitchen)
- Night lights (hallways, bathroom, bedroom)
- Raised toilet seat (adds 3-5 inches)
- Shower chair or bench
- Handheld showerhead
- Reacher/grabber tool (for picking up items)
- Medical alert system (wearable emergency button)
- Walk-in shower (no step to climb over)
- Stair lift (for multi-story homes)
- Wheelchair ramp (for outdoor steps)
- Widened doorways (for wheelchair/walker access)
- First-floor bedroom/bathroom (avoid stairs entirely)
- Lever-style door handles (easier than knobs)
- Motion-sensor lighting (automatic lights)
- Smart home technology (voice-activated lights, locks)
Lighting: The Often-Overlooked Safety Factor
Poor lighting is a major contributor to falls. As we age, we need 2-3 times more light to see clearly. Here's how to improve lighting throughout the home:
Lighting Best Practices:
- • Use bright LED bulbs (100-watt equivalent minimum)
- • Install light switches at room entrances (both ends of hallways)
- • Add night lights in bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallways
- • Use motion-sensor lights for automatic illumination
- • Ensure stairways have lighting at top and bottom
- • Add under-cabinet lighting in kitchens
- • Install outdoor motion-sensor lights at entrances
Lighting Mistakes to Avoid:
- • Dim bulbs or burnt-out lights
- • Relying on natural light alone
- • Light switches located far from room entrances
- • Dark hallways or stairways
- • Glare from uncovered bulbs or shiny surfaces
- • Inconsistent lighting (some rooms bright, others dark)
Emergency Preparedness at Home
Even with the best safety modifications, falls can still happen. Be prepared:
- Medical alert system: Wearable button that calls for help if a fall occurs (LifeAlert, Medical Guardian, Philips Lifeline).
- Keep phone accessible: Cordless phone or cell phone within reach at all times, especially in bedroom and bathroom.
- Emergency contacts: Post emergency numbers (911, family, doctor) near all phones and on the refrigerator.
- Daily check-ins: Arrange for family, friends, or neighbors to check in daily by phone or visit.
- Medication list: Keep a current list of medications and medical conditions visible for first responders.
Colorado Resources for Home Modifications
Colorado ARCH Network
Grants for home modifications for low-income seniors
303-333-3482
Rebuilding Together Metro Denver
Free home repairs and modifications for eligible seniors
303-534-2820
VA Home Improvement & Structural Alteration (HISA)
Grants for veterans to make homes accessible
1-877-222-8387
Medicaid Home Modifications
Medicaid may cover some home modifications; check eligibility
1-800-221-3943
Occupational Therapist (OT) Home Assessment
Professional evaluation of home safety; often covered by Medicare
Ask your doctor for a referral
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS)
Contractors trained in home modifications for seniors
Find at nahb.org/caps
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
Free or low-cost home safety assessments
Denver: 303-455-1000
Statewide: 1-844-265-5813
When to Consider Alternatives to Aging at Home
While home modifications can significantly reduce fall risk, there comes a point where aging at home may no longer be safe. Consider alternatives if:
- Your loved one has fallen multiple times despite safety modifications
- Mobility has declined to the point where navigating the home is extremely difficult
- Cognitive decline makes it difficult to remember safety precautions
- The home requires extensive, costly modifications that aren't feasible
- Your loved one is isolated and would benefit from the social environment of senior living
- 24/7 supervision or medical care is needed
Assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing facilities are designed with safety in mind and provide professional care when aging at home is no longer safe.