Free checklist
The home safety checklist
Most falls have an address: a loose rug, a dark stairwell, a bathroom with nothing to hold on to. Walk through the home with this room-by-room list. It takes about twenty minutes and it’s the highest-value twenty minutes in fall prevention. Print it, share it, use it freely.
Entrances & stairs
- Handrails on both sides of every staircase, firmly anchored
- Steps in good repair, edges visible (contrast tape on the nosing if steps blend together)
- Outdoor steps and walkways cleared of ice and snow, with sand or gravel handy (this is Calgary)
- A light switch (or motion light) at the top and bottom of the stairs
- No parcels, shoes, or clutter living on the steps
- House number visible from the street for emergency responders
Bathroom
- Grab bars beside the toilet and in the shower or tub — towel bars don’t count
- Non-slip mat or strips inside the tub or shower, and a bath mat with rubber backing outside it
- A shower chair and hand-held shower head if standing is tiring
- A raised toilet seat if getting up is a struggle
- A night path from bed to bathroom that’s lit without needing to find a switch
- Hot water tempered so it can’t scald
Kitchen
- Everyday dishes and food stored between waist and shoulder height (no chairs used as ladders)
- A sturdy step stool with a handle for anything higher (better: nothing higher)
- Kettle, toaster, and cords away from the sink and stove edges
- A working smoke detector nearby and a plan for forgotten burners (automatic shut-off devices exist)
- Spills wiped immediately; floor mats rubber-backed or gone
- Expiry-date sweep of the fridge every week (a common early sign that meals need support)
Bedroom & living areas
- Scatter rugs removed, taped, or rubber-backed — the single most common tripping hazard
- Clear walking paths between the places actually used: bed, bathroom, chair, kitchen
- Electrical and phone cords routed along walls, never across paths
- A lamp or switch reachable from the bed, plus a phone within reach
- The favourite chair firm and high enough to stand from, with armrests
- Pet toys and bowls kept out of walkways (pets underfoot cause real falls)
Light, meds & emergencies
- Nightlights in the hallway, bathroom, and bedroom
- Bulbs bright enough to actually see. Dim rooms hide edges and steps
- Medications in a dosette or blister pack, with one list of everything taken (including over-the-counter)
- Emergency numbers (family, 811, the care provider) posted large-print by the phone and saved in it
- A plan for “what if I fall and can’t get up”: a wearable alert, a daily check-in call, or scheduled visits
- A spare house key with a trusted neighbour or lockbox — not under the mat
Want a second set of eyes? A safety walkthrough is part of every free in-home visit, and our Home Safety & Equipment service handles the fixes, from grab bars to full de-cluttering. After a fall already? Start with home care after a fall.
Care that comes home
Not sure where to start?
Book The Alberta Maple Care Assessment — a free, no-obligation nurse visit. We’ll listen, understand your needs, and help you explore the right options.
Not ready to book? Start with a no-pressure conversation instead.