Bedroom Safety
Bedroom Safety
The National Council of Aging states that one in four seniors who live at home experience a fall, which can be especially dangerous when out of the home's central area. In addition, falls are the leading cause of injuries among seniors, resulting in 2.8 million emergency room hospital visits annually.
Bedroom Hazards
It is easy to overlook the bedroom when ensuring that the home is a safe space, but there are several safety hazards to keep in mind.
Poor Lighting
Difficulty seeing a walkway path can lead to a higher risk of falls. Consider keeping a flashlight and lamp on the nightstand and night lights near the bedroom area.
Try to avoid rearranging the bedroom furniture so that even if the room is not well lit, you're less likely to stumble over unexpected obstacles.
Electrical Cords
Tripping over electrical cords is a risk. Keep plugs and cables out of the walkway, the closer to the wall or corners, the better. Consider arranging electronics strategically in the room, based on the safest location for cords.
Unsafe Furniture
It is essential to choose furniture that can bear weight, especially nightstands or shelves near doorways. If you were to slip and reach out to steady your balance, would the furniture fall with you or help to steady you?
Sliding Throw Rugs
Throw rugs can get caught on feet or create a slippery walkway, leading to a higher risk of falls. Secure throw rugs with non-slip backing or remove them entirely from walkways.
Bedroom Safety Checklist
When creating a safe environment for the senior in your life, write out a checklist of necessary bedroom safety equipment.
Bedside Fall Prevention Matts
A bedside fall prevention matt can be life-saving for seniors who are prone to falling out of bed. A matt can be placed on either side of the bed and absorb the impact of a fall.
Telephone
Whether the senior has a cell phone or not, make sure it or a house phone is always positioned near the bed to contact that help in an emergency.
Sensor Alarm System
There are sensors designed to alert caregivers of user movement in the bedroom. There are different sensor systems for different needs. For example, a safety alarm that can be placed underneath someone in bed or a chair, lightweight and not uncomfortable, sensor pad alarm systems alert caregivers when the user gets out of bed.
Some sensor alarm systems are made to be tamper-proof, and some are better suited for chairs rather than beds.
Flashlight
Keep a flashlight on the bedside table in case of a power outage and check it often to ensure the batteries work.
The National Council of Aging states that one in four seniors who live at home experience a fall, which can be especially dangerous when out of the home's central area. In addition, falls are the leading cause of injuries among seniors, resulting in 2.8 million emergency room hospital visits annually.
Bedroom Hazards
It is easy to overlook the bedroom when ensuring that the home is a safe space, but there are several safety hazards to keep in mind.
Poor Lighting
Difficulty seeing a walkway path can lead to a higher risk of falls. Consider keeping a flashlight and lamp on the nightstand and night lights near the bedroom area.
Try to avoid rearranging the bedroom furniture so that even if the room is not well lit, you're less likely to stumble over unexpected obstacles.
Electrical Cords
Tripping over electrical cords is a risk. Keep plugs and cables out of the walkway, the closer to the wall or corners, the better. Consider arranging electronics strategically in the room, based on the safest location for cords.
Unsafe Furniture
It is essential to choose furniture that can bear weight, especially nightstands or shelves near doorways. If you were to slip and reach out to steady your balance, would the furniture fall with you or help to steady you?
Sliding Throw Rugs
Throw rugs can get caught on feet or create a slippery walkway, leading to a higher risk of falls. Secure throw rugs with non-slip backing or remove them entirely from walkways.
Bedroom Safety Checklist
When creating a safe environment for the senior in your life, write out a checklist of necessary bedroom safety equipment.
Bedside Fall Prevention Matts
A bedside fall prevention matt can be life-saving for seniors who are prone to falling out of bed. A matt can be placed on either side of the bed and absorb the impact of a fall.
Telephone
Whether the senior has a cell phone or not, make sure it or a house phone is always positioned near the bed to contact that help in an emergency.
Sensor Alarm System
There are sensors designed to alert caregivers of user movement in the bedroom. There are different sensor systems for different needs. For example, a safety alarm that can be placed underneath someone in bed or a chair, lightweight and not uncomfortable, sensor pad alarm systems alert caregivers when the user gets out of bed.
Some sensor alarm systems are made to be tamper-proof, and some are better suited for chairs rather than beds.
Flashlight
Keep a flashlight on the bedside table in case of a power outage and check it often to ensure the batteries work.