Most falls do not happen doing anything unusual. They happen getting out of bed at night, stepping out of the shower, reaching for something on a high shelf, or catching a foot on a rug that has been in the same spot for twenty years. The good news is that most of the risk factors are fixable in an afternoon.

Throughout the house

• Remove or securely tape down loose rugs and runners — they are the single most common tripping hazard
• Clear cords, magazines, laundry baskets, and pet bowls out of walking paths
• Brighten the lighting, especially in hallways and on stairs, and put night lights between the bedroom and the bathroom
• Place a lamp or switch within reach of the bed
• Repair uneven flooring, curling carpet edges, and loose thresholds
• Keep everyday items between waist and shoulder height so nobody has to climb or stoop
• Get rid of step stools and chairs used for reaching

Bathroom

• Install grab bars beside the toilet and inside the shower or tub — bolted into studs, not suction-cup versions
• Use a non-slip mat inside the tub or shower and a non-slip bath mat outside it
• Consider a shower chair and a hand-held shower head
• A raised toilet seat makes standing up far easier on weak knees and hips
• Never use towel rails or the sink as a support — they are not designed to hold weight

Bedroom

• Set the bed at a height where feet rest flat on the floor when sitting on the edge
• Keep a clear, lit path to the bathroom
• Keep the phone, glasses, and any mobility aid within reach of the bed
• Sit on the edge of the bed for a moment before standing — blood pressure often drops on rising, especially with certain medications

Kitchen and stairs

• Move heavy and frequently used items to lower shelves
• Clean spills immediately
• Fit handrails on both sides of every staircase, running the full length
• Mark the edge of the top and bottom step with contrasting tape
• Never leave objects on the stairs

The risks that are not about the house

Medications. Sedatives, sleep aids, some blood pressure medicines, antihistamines, and anything causing dizziness or drowsiness raise fall risk considerably. Ask for a medication review specifically with falls in mind.

Vision. An annual eye examination, an up-to-date prescription, and caution with bifocals on stairs, where they distort depth perception.

Footwear. Supportive shoes with a firm non-slip sole, worn indoors. No loose slippers, no socks on tile.

Strength and balance. This is the part people skip, and it is the part with the strongest evidence behind it. A physical therapist can build a home programme that measurably reduces fall risk, and an occupational therapist can adapt the tasks that are causing the near-misses.

After a fall

Tell someone, even if nothing hurts. Roughly half of falls are never reported, and an unreported fall is a warning that has been thrown away. A fall can also be the first sign of an infection, dehydration, a medication problem, or a new heart rhythm — the fall may be the symptom rather than the accident.