According to the AARP, which tracks birthdays as good as (or better than) my own mother, I have passed another of life’s milestones. I am not a ‘retired person,’ along with half of all AARP members since I continue to work to put food on the table – well, actually, to pay taxes so I still have a table to put food on, but I digress.

So, this article is devoted to an overview of what seniors – or those caring for seniors – should do to reduce hazards and enhance safety for an aging person.

We’ve heard it said about aging adults, ‘The eyes are the first to go.’ I don’t know if that is true, but as near-sighted as I have always been, my new bifocals aren’t hitting on much these days. Lighting must be more than just adequate when moving about or attempting to read or plugging in the lamp. Brighten up hallways, stairways, outdoor steps, bedrooms and reading lamps. With newer energy-efficient bulbs, you don’t have to go broke purchasing or energizing these areas, yet you can be more comfortable and secure knowing that you can see where you are going and what you are reading.

Create colorful contrasts in and around stairs and in the bathroom. If the house is decorated in similar or monochromatic color schemes, items blend in rather than stand out. For example, contrasting colors on or around kitchen counters or on stove and oven control knobs reduce the risk of falls and burns. Color contrasts in the bathroom to help identify floor vs. shower reduce the risk of falling or stumbling. Colorful non-slip strips on the bottom stair tread or the outside porch (along with handrails) are great for reducing falls and helping depth perception while walking.

Check furniture and utensil placement around the house. A word of caution – if the living room table has not moved for the past 48 years, you probably know where it is, even with your eyes closed. But obstacles sitting or lying in a travel path or on steps is a ‘crash’ waiting to happen. Then you get to try out your health insurance plan (saving that discussion for another time). Consider relocating your favorite cooking pot from the bottom shelf under the stove to someplace near or at stove level. Place heavier items closer to waist level to avoid bending, improperly lifting, and causing a back injury or fall.

Install grab bars in the bathroom. Replace round doorknobs with levers. Get someone else to test smoke detectors and replace batteries to avoid climbing a ladder, onto a countertop, or table. Keep a grease-fighting fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

These are but a few suggestions that don’t require a lot of money to do but can certainly prevent the most common of all household injuries for seniors – falls! Take a moment to look around the house and see what you can do to stay safe at home.