Home Saftey Checklist

EXTERIOR ENTRANCES AND EXITS

___ Note condition of walk and drive surface; existence of curb cuts

___ Note handrail condition, right and left sides

___ Note light level for driveway, walk, porch

___ Check door threshold height

___ Note ability to use knob, lock, key, mailbox, peephole, and package shelf

___ Do door and window locks work?

INTERIOR DOORS, STAIRS, HALLS

___ Note height of door threshold, knob and hinge types; clear width door opening; determine direction that door swings

___ Note presence of floor level changes

___ Note hall width, adequate for walker/wheelchair

___ Determine stair flight run: straight or curved

___ Note stair rails: condition, right and left side

___ Examine light level, clutter hazards

___ Note floor surface texture and contrast

BATHROOM

___ Are basin and tub faucets, shower control and drain plugs manageable?

___ Are hot water pipes covered?

___ Is mirror height appropriate, sit and stand?

___ Note ability to reach shelf above, below basin

___ Can resident step in/out of bath/shower

___ Can resident use bath bench in tub or shower?

___ Note toilet height; ability to reach paper; flush; come from sit to stand posture

___ Is space available for caregiver to assist?

KITCHEN

___ Note overall light level, task lighting

___ Note sink and counter heights

___ Note wall and floor storage shelf heights

___ Are undersink hot water pipes covered?

___ Is there under counter knee space?

___ Is there a nearby surface to rest hot foods on

___ When removed from oven?

___ Note stove control location (rear or front)

LIVING, DINING, BEDROOM

___ Chair, sofa, bed heights allow sitting or standing?

___ Do rugs have non-slip pad or rug tape?

___ Chair available with arm rests?

___ Able to turn on light, radio, TV, place a phone call from bed, chair, and sofa?

LAUNDRY

___ Able to hand-wash and hang clothes to dry?

___ Able to access automatic washer/dryer?

TELEPHONE AND DOOR

___ Phone jack location near bed, sofa, chair?

___ Able to get phone, dial, hear caller?

___ Able to identify visitors, hear doorbell?

___ Able to reach and empty mailbox?

___ Wears neck/wrist device to obtain emergency help? STORAGE SPACE

___ Able to reach closet rods and hooks, open bureau drawers?

___ Is there a light inside the closet?

WINDOWS

___ Opening mechanism at 42 inches from floor?

___ Lock accessible, easy to operate?

___ Sill height above floor level?

ELECTRIC OUTLETS AND CONTROLS

___ Sufficient outlets?

___ Outlet height, wall locations

___ Low vision/sound warnings available?

___ Extension cord hazard?

HEAT, LIGHT, VENTILATION, SECURITY, CARBON MONOXIDE, WATER TEMP CONTROL

___ Are there smoke/CO detectors and a fire extinguisher?

___ Thermometer displays easily readable?

___ Accessible environmental controls?

___ Pressure balance valve available?

___ Note rooms where poor light level exists

___ Able to open windows; slide patio doors?

___ Able to open drapes or curtains?

Handicapped Solutions