Get a home inspection to avoid falling hazards: Part 2

Your home is one place you should always feel safe, and by making repairs and adjustments to your house, you can continue to feel that way. As you grow older and settle into your home, you'll probably make changes that accommodate your family and lifestyle. As you or loved ones transition into old age, potential health hazards are going to appear in your home. Thankfully, there are simple solutions to remedy those issues.

Lighting

Being able to see your surroundings is the first step in avoiding unnecessary falls at home. Illuminate your surroundings by diligently replacing any burned-out light bulbs right away and knowing when it's time to install night lights. Using these devices to brighten your hallways at night is a great way to ensure you don't run into anything in the middle of the night. These easily implemented devices can plug into any electrical outlet and can range from $5 to $15, noted Harvard Health Publications. 

Grab bars

As you get older, your muscles usually weaken, so doing simple activities, like standing up and walking, can be quite difficult. That's why you should install grab bars in frequently used areas, like the bathroom. Grab bars are usually placed next to the toilet, shower and bathtub. This way, if you or a loved one needs a little extra help getting back to a standing position, there will be an easily accessible bar within reach.

Walkway cracks

The inside of the home is not the only area to worry about when it comes to fall prevention. Sidewalks are a prime place for walkers and canes to get stuck or jammed into cracked pavement, and any uneven sidewalks are a tripping threat. If you've tried fixing these fissures yourself several times using a liquid filler but the crack keeps coming back, it's probably time to get a home inspection, if you haven't already. The inspector will be able to examine the trouble area and give you a good idea of what is causing the recurring concern. Once you know what the underlying cause of the cracking is, you'll be able to repair the pavement for good.

Other ways to prevent falls

Along with fixing all of the issues discussed in this post, there are several other actions older adults can take to prevent falling and injury. Staying active is a great way to reduce your chances of falling. When you keep active, you work your muscles more often, making them stronger so you can continue to support your body weight. Exercises, like Tai Chi, that focus on leg strength and balance are especially useful, noted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other health related tasks you can do include consuming adequate amounts of vitamin D and weight bearing exercises.

Keeping your home clean and tidy is another way to avoid falling because there will be less to trip over. All houses tend to accumulate a little clutter every now and then, though, so if you must leave any items out, be sure they are not in any areas you would walk through at night. If cleaning is too difficult for you to do on your own, either hire someone or recruit family and friends to come help you.

Completing all these tasks to reduce your risk of injury is well worth the time and effort it takes to complete them. After all the repairs and adjustments have been made, don't forget to see about a home inspection. Along with making sure your home is free of any common tripping and injury inducing hazards, an inspector will be able to locate any other health risks in need of a quick repair.