Where do most accidents occur in the home?

The home is a place where people often feel safest. For most, it’s a comfortable environment that has been decorated and laid out as you want it and a place where you can control who comes in and out. However, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), more accidents happen at home than anywhere else.

You might think that most accidents occur in the kitchen or bathroom. The kitchen contains lots of sharp objects, gadgets and hot appliances and the bathroom is a place where you can slip on a wet surface and injure yourself. However, RoSPA states that most accidents happen in the living room. Such incidents could include falling over furniture or a bunched-up rug, burns caused by the fireplace or children pouring hot drinks on themselves. These problems could potentially be avoided by using a suitable fire shield, placing drinks away from children and organising your furniture so you have sufficient space to move.

Falls at home are the most common type of accident for UK adults, according to a research by National Friendly. To help prevent falls from happening in the kitchen, bathroom or on the stairs, you can find some possible solutions below. If you’re worried about falling when no one is around, you could use a personal alarm, allowing you to call for help even when you’re alone. If you regularly fall, it’s important to understand the cause of frequent falls so you can reduce the risk of it happening again and avoid serious injury.

How to prevent falls in the kitchen

Falling in the kitchen could result in more severe injuries than just a bruise or cut, particularly if you’re holding a hot pan, hot drink or knife. However, there are some things that you can try to prevent slips and falls in the kitchen.

Just like in any room of your home, there are some items that you need more regularly than others. These could be moved to a location that’s easily accessible. For example, if your mugs are situated on a top shelf that’s awkward to reach, the chances of falling could increase. You could consider moving your mugs to a lower shelf or cupboard. Alternatively, if for any reason you need to reach something on the top shelf, use a sturdy stepladder or a hand grabber.

Floor spills, particularly liquids, should be wiped up immediately, as they could cause you to slip and fall. This also goes for any grease or oil that can splash out of a frying pan.

Finally, kitchens usually have tile, lino or wooden flooring and these surfaces can be quite slippery. When you’re cooking, it can be a good idea to wear non-slip slippers or socks that provide extra grip. Rugs can also be good for this purpose; however, you must ensure that they’re taped down with double-sided tape or have a rubber underlay that will make sure the rug doesn’t move.

How to prevent slipping in the bathroom

Because there’s so much water in bathrooms, the risk of slipping can be high. Luckily, there are some things you can do to prevent falls.

Install grab bars

Getting in and out of the bath can be both difficult and dangerous for people with limited mobility. Having grab bars or handles installed in the bath or shower can provide a safe grip and help maintain balance. You may also want to install these near the toilet, too. These fixtures come in a variety of lengths and styles, so you’ll be sure to find one that suits you. They should be sturdy enough to hold your full weight should you happen to slip.

Keep the room dry

Water combined with the smooth surface of tile flooring is the main cause of slipping in the bathroom. These incidents could be avoided by keeping as much water away from the floor as possible. If your bath or shower is leaking, you should look to get this fixed as soon as you can. A temporary solution is to lay down a towel to absorb the moisture.

Walk-in showers or wet rooms can be ideal for those with reduced mobility. By adding handrails or using non-slip rubber shower mats and floor towels you can help keep any risks to a minimum.

Use a shower seat

Another useful feature to consider is a shower seat. It will allow you to sit down stably while you're washing and can be folded away when not in use. You can find more information about bathing solutions on our Age Co Mobility Solutions page.

How to prevent slipping on carpeted stairs

Falling down the stairs can be dangerous and scary, but there are some preventative steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of this happening. These include wearing footwear with good grip and making sure there is a handrail on each side of the stairs (for example, not just the banister, but an additional handrail that goes up the wall). You could also look into purchasing clear plastic strips that may provide further grip. These are sticky on one side and have a rough texture on the other, so they can stick to most types of flooring.

How to descend stairs safely

People are more likely to fall or trip on the stairs if they are trying to move too quickly. The most important thing is to descend slowly and safely, following any guidance you may have received from medical professionals. As a general guide:

• You should pay attention to each step, ensuring that your foot is landing on the step below before lifting the next one.
• If you’ve recently had surgery on one of your legs or have an injury, you should walk down the stairs with the weakest leg first.
• Use your injured leg to make the first step and then place your uninjured leg on the same step. Repeat this until you reach the bottom.

If you have reduced mobility or find getting up and downstairs a challenge, a stairlift could be an ideal solution.

How to get help if you fall or have an accident

Even if you take all the right precautions, accidents can still happen. When they do, getting help quickly is vital, especially if you live alone. That’s why a personal alarm can offer real peace of mind.  Personal alarms are a way to call for help, even if you cannot speak or move.  Some personal alarms have built-in fall detection that will automatically make an alarm call when the device detects the wearer has fallen. It’s a simple, reliable way to feel safer at home and for longer.

Summary

• Falls are the most frequent type of accident among UK adults, particularly in high-risk areas like the kitchen, bathroom and stairs.
• To help prevent falls in the kitchen, keep frequently used items within easy reach, clean up spills immediately, and wear non-slip footwear.
• In the bathroom, installing grab bars, keeping floors dry, and using a shower seat can help reduce the risk of slipping.
• To stay safe on stairs, take your time, use both handrails, and consider additional grip solutions or a stairlift if mobility is limited.
• A personal alarm can provide peace of mind, allowing you to call for help, even if you can’t speak or move, and some models include automatic fall detection.