Your mom may not be slipping on banana peels in her kitchen, but she could be slipping on that favorite rug by the sink! She may already question the safety of the rug, but has she ever wondered if there are other unsafe things in her house that she hasn’t thought about? Or better yet, what can YOU do to make your home safer?
Your best resource for completing a comprehensive home security survey is a detailed home assessment checklist. A “home assessment” is a detailed checklist used to assess the safety and accessibility of a home or office. Home improvements are suggested on the checklist to improve home accessibility and safety for seniors, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Some of the most important security recommendations for a home involve the kitchen, bathroom, and entryways. For Mom’s kitchen, a wall oven that has a convenient shelf just below the door prevents delicious but heavy casseroles from falling out. Cooktops with level electric cooktops ensure safe transfer between burners; front controls and downdraft features draw heat away; and a light that indicates when a burner is hot are essential features.
In the bathroom, there are many things that can be done to improve safety. To name a few, we would mention a folding seat installed in the shower; an adjustable shower head on a hose; and an anti-scald device to ensure the water never gets too hot while showering.
Entrance areas are also critical points to review for security issues. You may want to include a motion sensitive light at the entrances; a vestibule without sliding floor; a low or stepless entrance with a cover; side lights on the doors; and a surface to place packages while the door is opened.
Non-slip, non-glossy floor surfaces are critical in safety-conscious handicap accessible homes. A non-slip material on your floor, such as matte-finish wood or laminate, textured vinyl, or smooth-glazed ceramic tile will help prevent falls. Thresholds separating adjacent rooms should be close to the same level. Short-pile rugs that turn into flooring are better than higher-pile, softer rugs. Low-pile carpeting and smooth flooring materials are also better for wheelchair maneuverability.
Finally, some accessibility items to consider if Mom is in a wheelchair or experiences a disability include 30-inch by 48-inch clearance on appliances and 60-inch diameter clearance for turning; sweaters with pull tabs on drawers; and lever handles whenever possible. A good home assessment checklist will also include information on safe electrical, lighting, and security items; Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning; and stairs, lifts and elevators.
Going through a detailed home assessment checklist will help answer many questions about home safety for people with disabilities, seniors, and people who want to “age in place.”
If you need help evaluating the safety of a home, you’ll find a directory of Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) on the NAHB website. Your CAPS specialist will schedule an in-home consultation to observe and evaluate your current living arrangement and help you create a safer, more affordable home for you or a loved one.
