HOME ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY CHECKLIST

HOME ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY CHECKLIST

A safe home environment can prevent falls and enhance independent functioning. The following checklist has been designed as a simple way for you to "check out" the safety of your home. Remember that each person’s safety and home needs are different, but the items on this checklist are typical areas of concern for most individuals.

This checklist has two parts: Part I focuses on general safety issues that can apply to everyone; Part II focuses on safety issues that commonly apply to individuals with perceptual and cognitive problems.

How To Use This Checklist:

Print out this checklist from your computer. Read over it carefully.
Take this checklist with you and WALK through your home. As you walk through your home, carefully check "yes" or "no" for each item on this list.
Any item scored "no" is a safety concern and should be corrected.

For more detailed information about safety in the home or to determine your individual safety needs, contact your occupational therapist or physician.

Patricia A. Gentile, MS, OTR/L
Yvette Kearns, OTR/L
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center & Brady Institute for Traumatic Brain Injury

pgentile@jhmc.org

PART I. GENERAL HOME ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY CHECKLIST
Area of Focus	YES 3	NO
General Safety Considerations
1. Are lamp, extension and telephone cords placed out of the flow of traffic?
2. Are cords out from beneath furniture, rugs or carpeting?
3. Are cords attached to the walls, baseboards, etc. with nails or staples?
4. Are electrical cords in good condition, not frayed or cracked?
5. Do extension cords carry their proper load, as indicated by the ratings label on the cord or appliance?
6. Have unnecessary furniture and items been removed to allow easy mobility?
7. Are all small rugs and runners slip resistant?
8. Are emergency numbers posted on or near the telephone?
9. If you were to fall are telephones within reach?
10. Are smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors present and working properly?
11. Do all exposed outlets and switches have cover plates so no wiring is exposed?

Area of Focus	YES 3	NO
12. Are light bulbs the appropriate size and type for the lamp or fixture?
13. If appliances come with a 3 ring-prong is a three ring hole outlet being used?
14. Do you have an emergency exit plan in case of a fire?
General Kitchen Safety
15. In the kitchen, are towels, curtains and other things that might catch fire located away from the range?
16. While cooking, do you wear clothing with short or close-fitting sleeves?
17. Are on/off temperature controls on stove clearly marked?
18. In the kitchen, are all extension cords and appliance cords located away from the sink and range areas?
19. In the kitchen, is commonly utilized equipment stored within reach?
20. Do you have a step stool that is stable and in good condition?
General Hallway and Stairwell Safety
21. Are hallways, passage ways and other heavy traffic areas well lit?
22. Are passageways and exits kept clear of clutter?
23. Are stairways well lighted?

Area of Focus	YES 3	NO
24. Are sturdy handrails fastened securely to both sides of stairways?
25. Do steps allow secure footing?
26. Are the edges of steps clearly visible?
27. Is anything stored on the stairway, even temporarily?
General Bathroom Safety
28. Are bathtubs and showers equipped with non-skid mats, abrasive strips or surfaces that are not slippery?
29. Is water temperature 120 degrees or lower?
30. Do bathtubs and showers have appropriate grab bars?
31. If your balance is unsteady, are grab bars securely mounted to wall to assist you with safely stepping into and out of bathtub?
32. Is a light switch located near the entrance to the bathroom?
33. Can the bathroom door be unlocked from the outside in case of an emergency?
34. Are exposed heating pipes insulated?
35. Are small electrical appliances, such as hair dryers, shavers, curling irons, etc. unplugged when not in use?
36. Are all medications stored in the containers that they came in and are clearly marked?
Area of Focus	YES 3	NO
General Bedroom Safety
37. Are lamp or light switches within reach of each bed?
38. Are fire sources (heaters, hot plates, teapots, etc.) and smoking materials located away from bed or bedding?
39. Is there a telephone close to your bed?
40. Are electric heating pads turned OFF prior to falling asleep?

PART II. GENERAL HOME SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PERCEPTUAL AND COGNITIVE PROBLEMS
Area of Focus	YES 3	NO
1. While cooking, is a timer available to help you keep tract of items cooking on the flame? (attention and memory problems)
2. Do you use a "whistling" teakettle? (attention and memory problems)
3. Are commonly used items kept in the same location? (attention and memory problems)
4. Have commonly used telephone numbers been pre-programmed into the telephone and/or posted near the telephone? (memory problems, sequencing problems)
5. Do you use a calendar or scheduling book to help remind you of important events? (attention and memory problems)

Area of Focus	YES 3	NO
6. If necessary, have you posted signs by the door to help remind you to: Lock the front door when you leave Turn off appliances when you finish using them Take out the garbage (attention, memory problems)
7. Is your front door house key color coded for easy identification? (memory problems, distractibility)
8. When the doorbell rings do you use the peep hole to identify who it is before opening the door to let the person in? (impulsivity, decreased judgment)
9. When necessary, do you utilize checklists with correct steps and sequences for household tasks, such as the laundry, or making a bed? (poor attention, memory problems, sequencing problems)
10. Are directions and steps for multi-step tasks posted at appropriate locations (i.e., near washing machine)? (sequencing problems, difficulty initiating tasks, attention and memory problems)
11. Are sharp utensils separated from other items and arranged in a kitchen draw with handles pointing towards you? (perceptual impairments, impulsivity)
12. Are toxic household cleaning fluids kept separate from other items to avoid potential confusion? (perceptual impairments, attention problems)

Area of Focus	YES 3	NO
13. Have unnecessary items been removed from the living environment to deceased confusion and distraction? (perceptual impairments, attention problems)
14. Are commonly used items kept in a consistent, prominent place? (memory and attentional problem)
15. Are cabinets labeled to assist in locating objects? (memory and attentional problems, safety)
16. If you are "neglectful" of one side of your body, are objects placed and positioned where you can see and reach them? (perceptual impairments)
17. Do you use a watch with an alarm and calendar display? (memory problems)
18. Are the most "taxing" household activities planned for the time of day when you feel most alert and attentive? (attentional problems, fatigue)
19. Do you have a "Medi-Alert" system in place? (safety, language difficulties)
20. Does a family member or friend have a key to your home in case of emergencies? (safety)

If you have answered "YES" to all these items on this checklist, your home appears to be relatively safe. Any items scored "NO" should be corrected to promote a safe home environment. Remember to check with your health care professional to identify any potential safety issues that might be particular to your individual needs.