Can Your Home Be Making You Fall? A PT’s Guide to Safer Living Spaces
Can Your Home Be Making You Fall? A PT’s Guide to Safer Living Spaces
August 21, 2025
Your home: safe haven… or hidden obstacle course?
For most of us, home is where we feel safest. But as a physical therapist, I can tell you that some of the biggest fall hazards I see aren’t out in the community — they’re right inside the house.
Slippery kitchen floors. Dim stairwells. Rugs that shift under your feet. Narrow hallways that turn into tight squeezes when you’re carrying laundry.
The good news? A safer home doesn’t have to mean expensive renovations. With the right tweaks — and sometimes just a fresh set of eyes — your living space can support your independence instead of sabotaging it.
So, let’s talk about how your home might be increasing your risk of falling, and what you can do to change that — starting today. ________________________________________
The Data: Why Home Safety Matters
According to the CDC, more than 50% of falls among adults 65 and older happen at home. That means the place where you should feel safest is often where risks are highest.
And in West Michigan — where icy boots get tracked inside and stairs are part of almost every home — I see this all the time with my clients.
The great news? A few low-cost, evidence-based changes can dramatically reduce your risk. Research even shows that home safety interventions alone can reduce fall-related injuries by 26% (NCOA). ________________________________________
Common Home Hazards (And How to Fix Them)
Let’s walk through the biggest trouble spots I see during in-home assessments and how you can make them safer. ________________________________________
1. Entryways and Stairs
Why they’re risky:
● Wet shoes make floors slick.
● Poor lighting on steps makes it hard to judge depth.
● Missing or loose handrails leave nothing to grab if you slip.
Easy fixes:
● Add non-slip mats inside and outside your entryway.
● Install bright, motion-activated lights over stairs and entry points.
● Make sure handrails are sturdy and extend the full length of the stairs.
● Keep stairs clear of clutter — no shoes, boxes, or baskets.
Local tip: Stores like Home Depot Grand Rapids or Menards have affordable options for railings and lighting upgrades. ________________________________________
2. Living Room Hazards
Why they’re risky:
● Throw rugs that curl or slide.
● Low coffee tables or ottomans that catch your toes.
● Electrical cords crossing walkways.
Easy fixes:
● Use non-slip backing or double-sided tape for rugs — or better yet, remove them.
● Rearrange furniture to create clear, wide pathways.
● Tuck or secure cords along walls.
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3. Kitchen Trouble Spots
Why they’re risky:
● Wet floors from spills.
● Items stored too high or too low, forcing unsafe reaching or bending.
● Using chairs or stools for climbing (please, just don’t).
Easy fixes:
● Keep commonly used items between waist and shoulder height.
● Wipe up spills immediately and use absorbent mats near sinks.
● Use a sturdy step stool with a handle if you must reach higher cabinets.
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4. Bathroom Dangers
Why they’re risky:
● Wet, slippery tile.
● No grab bars near toilets or in the shower.
● Low toilet seats making transfers harder.
Easy fixes:
● Install grab bars near the toilet and shower (don’t rely on towel bars).
● Add non-slip strips or mats in the shower.
● Consider a raised toilet seat for easier sitting and standing.
Local help: Home Safe Home is West Michigan’s leader in home modifications for aging-in place and barrier free solutions. ________________________________________
5. Bedroom Hazards
Why they’re risky:
● Cluttered walkways to the bed or bathroom.
● No nightlights for nighttime trips.
● Beds that are too high or too low.
Easy fixes:
● Keep pathways clear and wide.
● Use plug-in nightlights or motion-activated floor lights.
● Adjust bed height so it’s easy to sit and stand safely.
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6. Outdoor Obstacles
Why they’re risky:
● Uneven sidewalks, driveways, or patio stones.
● Ice and snow buildup in winter.
● Dim porch lighting.
Easy fixes:
● Repair cracks or uneven areas in walkways.
● Use ice melt in the winter and clear paths regularly.
● Add bright lighting outside your home.
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The PT Advantage: A Fresh Set of Eyes
One of the best parts of in-home PT is that we get to see your space through a safety lens.
When I walk into a client’s home, I look for things you may not notice anymore — like that one loose stair tread or the lamp cord stretched across the hallway.
Then, we create a personalized plan:
● Small, quick fixes you can do today.
● Low-cost upgrades to add over time.
● Training on how to move safely in your environment.
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The Role of Balance and Strength
Even with a perfectly safe home, balance and strength are key. That’s why we combine environmental changes with evidence-based exercises.
Studies show that when you pair home safety modifications with targeted balance and strength training, fall risk drops dramatically — often more than either intervention alone. ________________________________________
A Grand Rapids Story
A few months ago, I worked with a client — we’ll call her Marge — in East Grand Rapids. She’d had two “almost-falls” in her kitchen and was feeling nervous moving around her house.
During our assessment, we found three trouble spots:
● A loose throw rug in the kitchen.
● A step down into the sunroom with no handrail.
● Dim lighting in the hallway leading to the bathroom.
We fixed the rug with non-slip backing, added a simple handrail, and installed motion-sensor nightlights. At the same time, we started a simple balance and strength routine three times a week.
Six weeks later, Marge told me, “I feel like my house is working with me instead of against me.” ________________________________________
Simple, Low-Cost Upgrades
Here are a few of my favorite budget-friendly changes:
If you’ve had a recent fall, near miss, or you’re simply not sure where to start, it’s time to bring in a professional.
At Vitality At Home, our in-home fall risk assessments include: ● Balance and gait testing.
● Strength and flexibility screening.
● Home safety walkthrough.
● A personalized exercise and safety plan designed for your space and lifestyle.
If you need home modifications that require a professional touch, Home Safe Home is a trusted local resource. A skilled occupational therapist from their team will perform a thorough home safety assessment, identifying the changes that will keep you safe and independent. Then, their trusted contractors handle the work — making it a one-stop shop for practical, customized solutions to help you live comfortably at home, even as your needs change with aging or a progressive condition.
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Your Action Plan
Here’s where to start:
1. Walk through your home with a critical eye — look for loose rugs, poor lighting, and cluttered pathways.
2. Add one or two simple safety upgrades this week.
3. Begin a regular balance and strength program.
4. Schedule a professional fall risk assessment for a personalized plan.
________________________________________
Take the First Step
Your home should keep you safe, not trip you up. A few small changes can make a huge difference in your confidence and independence.
Call us at (616) 644-9155 or visit www.vitalityptgr.com to schedule your in-home fall risk assessment today. Together, we’ll make your home safer — and keep you steady for years to come.
Request An Appointment
Please fill out this form and we will contact you about schedule.
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