 Landlord Checklists
Make Your Home Safer
Fact: At age 65, older adults are twice as likely to be killed or injured by fires or falls compared to the population at large.Fact: Thirty percent of people age 65 and older are involved in falls each year, the leading cause of death from unintentional injury in the home. Fact: In the U.S. and Canada, adults age 65 and older make up about 12 percent of the population and their numbers are increasing.
National Fire Protection Association
Most Fall Can be Prevented
Each year, thousands of older Americans fall at home. Many of them are seriously injured, and some are disabled. In 2002, more than 12,800 people over age 65 died and 1.6 million were treated in emergency departments because of falls Among people 65 years and older, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. Each year in the United States, nearly one third of older adults experience a fall. The following checklist will ask you as a family member or owner/manager to review the home or apartment of a senior citizen and offer this check list for them to use.
Yes No 1. ___ ___Is there a light switch at the top and bottom of all stairs 2. ___ ___With the light on can you clearly see the outline of each step 3. ___ ___So all stairways have sturdy handrails on both sides 4. ___ ___Do all handrails run the full length of the stairs slightly beyond the steps 5. ___ ___Are all steps in good repair. None should be broken or loose 6. ___ ___Are all small rugs secure when you walk on them or do they slide 7. ___ ___Do all the carpets lie flat 8. ___ ___Are all lamp cords and extension cords out of the way 9. ___ ____Do all entrances have outside lights on interior and exterior 10. ___ ___Does the door bell ring loudly for the hard of hearing 11. ___ ___Are all walkways free and clear of holes and cracks 12 ___ ___Is there unnecessary clutter in any room 13. ___ ___Are all the doorway thresholds flat to reduce trip hazard 14. ___ ___Is there a working phone jack by the bed 15. ___ ___Do you have an emergency exit plan 16. ___ ___Do you have all the emergency phone numbers and their location 17. ___ ___Is the house properly sealed against cold weather 18. ___ ___Do you have night lights in the bedroom, bathroom and all the stairs 19___ ___Is there a smoke detector in every bedroom and hallway 20. Keep a working flashlight and cell phone by the bed Bathroom 1. ___ ___Are their grips or a rubber mat in the bathtub 2. ___ ___Is there a grip bar in the tub and near the toilet 3.___ ___Is the toilet too low, there are booster seats that raise the seat area 4. ___ ___Are all rugs secure Kitchen 1. ___ ___Is there a fire extinguisher in the kitchen 2. ___ ___ Is there a smoke detector in the kitchen * If you are interested in establishing a Senior Citizen Safety Watch Group you can go to the Coalition for Senior Safety and download an e book entitled "Coalition Senior Safety" located here
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