Accessibility Experts March Newsletter

What type of hazards can be found in the living room?

Do you want to improve safety in your home? The first step is to be able to identify falls hazards and how to reduce risk. Examples of fall risks that may be found in living room are, but are not limited to:

• Issue: items that are not kept in easy to reach places. Solution: always make sure items like your telephone, TV remote, glasses, walking aid in an easily accessible spot.
• Issue: pets can be a tripping hazard if you don’t keep track of their location. Solution: using a collar with a bell will help you know where they are at all times. Train pets to lie in a single spot in the living room that is out of the way.
• Issue: loose rugs/mats without non-slip backing can easily be a trip hazard. Solution: always use mats without anti-slip backing, avoid polished floors and tiles that can cause slips and trips. Remove or secure mats and use slip resistant treatments on your flooring.
• Issue: some furniture like couches for example can be difficult to get in and out of. Solution: ensure seating is the appropriate height, has firm cushions for support and arm supports. Consider using walking aids which can provide assistance when sitting and standing or replace with furniture which better meets your needs.
• Issue: clutter on floor. Solution: make sure to keep items like handbags, books newspapers of floor and store them in a safe place. Ensure areas you walk though regularly are kept clean and free of clutter.
• Issue: loose electrical cords. Solution: make sure electoral cords from things like TVs, sound systems, lamps, are kept out of walkways, keep loose cords against the wall, when ironing clothes always be aware of where the electric cord for the iron is so you don’t trip on it.

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What is the difference between steps and platform steps?

 
Steps
 
Steps found in most homes or in the community will be made to a standard height and width, these steps can generally be used for most people without any mobility issues, however for older people or those with a disability, standard sized steps may be difficult to use which increases the risk of falls. This is where platform steps can provide a solution.
 
Platform steps
 
Platform steps are designed and built with a decrease in the height of the step making it easier to step up or down, especially for those using walking aids. The depth of each step in also increased to enable people using walking frames and other aids to use on one step at the same time more safely.

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