Safety for Older Consumers – Home Safety Checklist

Many older Americans are injured in and around their homes every year.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that
on average 1.4 million people aged 65 and older are treated in hospital
emergency rooms each year for injuries associated with consumer
products. Within this age group, the rate of injury is the highest for
people 75 years of age and older.

Falls in and around the home are a top cause of injuries to older adults.
Older adults also are at greater risk than others of dying in a house fire.
Many of these and other injuries result from hazards that are easy to
overlook, but also easy to fix. By spotting these hazards and taking
simple steps to correct them, you can prevent injuries to yourself or
visitors to your home.

Use this checklist to prepare for an emergency and to spot possible
safety problems in your home.