Home Safety Checklist

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1. EXTERIOR ENTRANCES AND EXITS

o Note condition of walk and drive surface; existence of curb cuts

o Note handrail condition, right and left sides

o Note light level for driveway, walk, porch

o Check door threshold height

o Note ability to use knob, lock, key, mailbox, peephole, and

o package shelf

o Do door and window locks work?

2. INTERIOR DOORS, STAIRS, HALLS

o Note height of door threshold, knob and hinge types; clear width door opening; determine direction that door swings

o Note presence of floor level changes

o Note hall width, adequate for walker/wheelchair

o Determine stair flight run: straight or curved

o Note stair rails: condition, right and left side

o Examine light level, clutter hazards

o Note floor surface texture and contrast

3. BATHROOM

o Are basin and tub faucets, shower control and drain plugs manageable?

o Are hot water pipes covered?

o Is mirror height appropriate, sit and stand?

o Note ability reach shelf above, below basin

o Note ability to step in and out of the bath and shower

o Can resident use bath bench in tub or shower?

o Note toilet height; ability to reach paper; flush; come from

o sit to stand posture

o Is space available for caregiver to assist?

4. KITCHEN

o Note overall light level, task lighting

o Note sink and counter heights

o Note wall and floor storage shelf heights

o Are under sink hot water pipes covered?

o Is there under counter knee space?

o Is there a nearby surface to rest hot foods on when removed from oven?

o Note stove control location (rear or front)

5. LIVING, DINING, BEDROOM

o Chair, sofa, bed heights allow sitting or standing?

o Do rugs have non-slip pad or rug tape?

o Chair available with arm rests?

o Able to turn on light, radio, TV, place a phone call from bed, chair, and sofa?

6. LAUNDRY

o Able to hand-wash and hang clothes to dry?

o Able to access automatic washer/dryer?

7. TELEPHONE AND DOOR

o Phone jack location near bed, sofa, chair?

o Able to get phone, dial, hear caller?

o Able to identify visitors, hear doorbell?

o Able to reach and empty mailbox?

o Wears neck/wrist device to obtain emergency help?

8. STORAGE SPACE

o Able to reach closet rods and hooks, open bureau drawers?

o Is there a light inside the closet?

9. WINDOWS

o Opening mechanism at 42 inches from floor?

o Lock accessible, easy to operate?

o Sill height above floor level?

10. ELECTRIC OUTLETS AND CONTROLS

o Sufficient outlets?

o Outlet height, wall locations

o Low vision/sound warnings available?

o Extension cord hazard?

11. HEAT, LIGHT, VENTILATION, SECURITY,

CARBON MONOXIDE, WATER TEMP CONTROL

o Are there smoke/CO detectors and a fire extinguisher?

o Thermometer displays easily readable?

o Accessible environmental controls?

o Pressure balance valve available?

o Note rooms where poor light level exists

o Able to open windows; slide patio doors?

o Able to open drapes or curtains