Most falls and accidents at home are preventable once you know what to look for. This guide covers the main risks, the small changes that make the biggest difference, and where to get free help if bigger changes are needed.
Falls are the single biggest cause of accidental injury among older people, and most happen at home rather than out and about. The good news: a lot of risk comes down to a handful of fixable things — lighting, loose flooring, footwear, and clutter on stairs — not expensive renovations.
Worth doing room by room, ideally with the person you care for rather than for them — they'll know which habits and layouts actually cause problems day to day. Tick items off as you check them.
These two rooms account for a disproportionate share of home accidents — hard, wet, or hot surfaces raise the stakes when something does go wrong.
Bathroom: a grab rail by the bath or shower and another near the toilet make a real difference, as does a non-slip mat inside the bath or shower tray. If dizziness on standing is an issue, a shower seat is worth considering.
Kitchen: keep frequently used pans and crockery on lower shelves to avoid stretching or stepping stools. Turn pan handles inward on the hob, and mop up spills immediately rather than leaving them.
Some medications cause dizziness or drops in blood pressure on standing, which raises fall risk. If unsteadiness has got worse recently, it's worth a medication review with a GP or pharmacist rather than assuming it's "just age."
Bigger changes (ramps, stairlifts, walk-in showers, widened doorways) don't have to come out of your own pocket first.
Simple technology can bridge the gap when you can't be there in person.
Personal alarms (a pendant or wristband button) connect to a 24-hour response centre, which can contact you, a neighbour, or emergency services if needed. Sensor-based telecare — like a chair or bed sensor — can flag if someone has got up and not returned within an expected time. Most areas have a local telecare service; some are free or subsidised depending on eligibility. One extra thing worth knowing if a personal alarm is already in place: the UK's old landline network is being switched off for good by 31 January 2027, and not every older alarm was built for the digital line that replaces it. If the alarm relies on a landline, our free Pendant Alarm Digital Switchover Checker takes two minutes and tells you exactly what to check with the phone and alarm provider.
Every Fire and Rescue Service in the UK offers a free home fire safety visit, and older people or those with mobility or memory difficulties are usually a priority group. A visit typically covers smoke alarm placement and testing, an escape plan, and simple fixes like clearing exit routes. It's a genuinely free, no-obligation service — search "[your fire service name] home fire safety check" or call 999's non-emergency equivalent for your area to book one.
A short walk-round check is a good start, but ask your GP or local council's adult social care team for a fuller home safety or occupational therapy assessment if any of the following apply: a fall has already happened, near-misses are becoming frequent, mobility has changed recently, or the person you care for is living with a condition that affects balance, memory, or judgement of risk.
Free home fire safety check, priority for older/vulnerable households
Search your local service's website
Occupational therapy assessment, Disabled Facilities Grant
Search "[your council] adult social care"
General guidance, not a substitute for a professional home safety or occupational therapy assessment.
Independent guide. CarersInfo.com is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any fire and rescue service, local council, or the NHS.
Not advice. Every home and every person's needs are different. This guide gives a general steer based on common risks and national guidance — always get a professional assessment for individual circumstances, and follow advice from your GP, OT, or local fire service over anything general written here.
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