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5 ways to make your home safer from falls

Toddlers may take a tumble with no harm done. But that's not always the case for adults, particularly older ones who are at high risk for a serious injury or even death from a fall.

How to fall-proof your home

Most falls happen at home: To make falling less of a danger:

Remove loose rugs.
Make sure all stairs have handrails, preferably on both sides.
Keep things bright with enough light.
Clear clutter from any place you walk.
Equip tubs and showers with grab bars.

Reviewed 7/7/2025

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Facts About Falls." https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/facts-stats/.
National Institute on Aging. "Falls and Fractures in Older Adults."
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-fractures-older-adults-causes-and-prevention.
National Institute on Aging. "Preventing Falls at Home: Room by Room."
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/preventing-falls-home-room-room.