A Monthly Home Safety Check for Older Adults

How to do the check

• Choose a fixed day, such as the first Sunday of the month, and put it in the family calendar.
• Walk through the home with your parent, room by room, rather than doing it behind their back. They know where the problems are.
• Carry a notepad or phone to write down what needs fixing, who will do it and by when.
• Fix small things on the spot: change a bulb, tighten a screw, move a cable.
• Follow up on bigger items within a week.
• Record the date and what was done, in a simple log.
• Be kind. Treat it as care, not inspection.

For a broader plan, see ageing in place, room by room and home safety for seniors living alone.

Floors, paths and clutter (all rooms)

• Loose rugs and mats: removed or fixed with non-slip backing; edges flat.
• Cables and wires: tidied away from walking routes; no extension cords across floors.
• Clutter: walkways clear, at least 90 cm wide; no boxes, bags or shoes in the way; see decluttering for safety and calm.
• Floor surface: no loose tiles, cracks or raised edges; no spills or slippery patches.
• Pets' items and toys: not in the walkway.
• Furniture: stable, not wobbling; no low tables in walkways.
• Thresholds: marked, with ramps if used; see stairs, steps and thresholds.

Lighting

• All bulbs working, in every room, hall, stairs and the bathroom.
• Night lights working, in the bedroom, corridor and bathroom; see motion-sensor night lights.
• Switches at both ends of stairs and corridors work.
• Torch in the bedroom, with working batteries.
• No dark corners or glare.

See lighting and colour contrast at home.

Stairs and steps

• Handrails firmly fixed, no wobble; at both sides if possible.
• Edges of steps visible, with contrast strips in good condition.
• Treads and carpet secure, not worn or loose.
• Nothing stored on the stairs.
• Outdoor steps: clean, dry, free from algae, with working lights.
• Ramps: secure and clean, non-slip.

Bathroom and toilet

• Grab bars secure, no movement; see grab bars.
• Non-slip mats and strips gripping well, with no curled edges; replace if worn.
• Shower chair or bench stable, rubber feet intact; see shower chairs and stools.
• Raised toilet seat or frame fixed firmly.
• Floor dry, with no pooling.
• Hot water temperature safe; check for scalding; see hot water and scald safety.
• Electrical items away from water; geyser serviced; see safe use of heaters and geysers.
• Door lock can be opened from outside.
• Bell or alert within reach.
• Toiletries and medicines stored safely.

See bathroom safety checklist for seniors.

Kitchen

• Gas: hose in good condition, no smell, regulator off when not cooking; cylinder upright and ventilated; see smoke and gas safety for older adults.
• Stove and appliances working, with auto-off devices functioning; see auto-off kettle and stove safety.
• Fire blanket in place; extinguisher in date.
• Floor non-slip, dry.
• Food: fridge temperature, expiry dates, spoiled items thrown away; see kitchen safety for older adults.
• Knives and sharp items stored safely.
• Cleaning chemicals away from food, labelled.
• Heavy items at waist height.

Bedroom

• Bed stable, at a safe height; wheels locked on a care bed.
• Path to the bathroom clear and lit.
• Bedside: lamp, phone, water, glasses, torch and alert device within reach.
• Bed rails, if used, securely fitted and checked; see bed rails guide.
• Mattress in good condition; pressure-relieving mattress working; see air mattress for pressure sores.
• Wardrobe items easy to reach.
• Commode or urinal, if used, clean and stable.
• Electric blanket or heater: safe, with intact cords; not left on overnight.

Living areas

• Chairs stable, at the right height, with arms; cushions in good condition.
• Heaters and fans: safe distance from furniture and curtains, cords intact.
• Remote, phone and clock within reach.
• Plants and decorations not blocking paths.
• Windows and balcony doors secure; balcony railings firm; see garden, balcony and terrace safety.

Fire, gas and electrical safety

• Smoke alarms: test the button; replace batteries as needed; replace units at the manufacturer's recommended age.
• Carbon monoxide alarm, if fuel is burned indoors.
• Gas leak detector, if fitted.
• Sockets and plugs: no scorch marks, loose plugs or overloaded adaptors; switches working.
• Wiring: no frayed cords, no hot plugs.
• Fuse and circuit breakers: know where they are.
• Fire exit routes: clear.
• Incense, candles and lamps: safe distances.

Security and entry

• Locks and bolts working, with a way to enter in an emergency; key safe code unchanged, and known by key people; see key safes and lock and door safety for seniors.
• Door chain or viewer working.
• Spare key in a safe place with a trusted person.
• Windows secure.
• Doorstep visitors: review rules; see preventing doorstep scams and phone fraud.

Alert and monitoring devices

• Pendant or watch: charged, worn, tested with a monthly test call; see panic pendants and fall detection watches.
• Door sensors, GPS trackers: batteries and connections checked; see safety device batteries and monthly checks.
• Phone: charged, with emergency numbers; large-button phone working.
• Emergency contacts up to date, on the fridge and in the phone.
• Medical summary by the door; see emergency contact card and medical summary.

Medicines and health devices

• Medicines: in date, stored properly, pill organiser filled; old medicines removed; see setting up a weekly medicine box.
• Repeat prescriptions ordered.
• Health devices: blood pressure monitor, glucometer, thermometer and oximeter working, with batteries; see calibration, batteries and replacement of home health devices.
• Test strips and lancets in date.
• First aid kit stocked.
• Health records updated.

Mobility aids and equipment

• Walking aids: tips and feet in good condition; height set; brakes and wheels working; see cleaning and maintaining walking aids and wheelchairs.
• Wheelchair: tyres, brakes, cushion.
• Hospital bed, commode, hoist: checked and working.
• Oxygen equipment: supply, filters, backup; safety rules; see oxygen concentrator safe use at home.
• Footwear: non-slip shoes and slippers in good state; see walking aids and footwear.
• Cushions and mattresses in good condition.

Seasonal checks

• Before summer: fans, coolers and air conditioners serviced; drinking water arrangements; heat plan; see temperature and ventilation at home.
• Before the monsoon: leaks, damp, drains, slippery steps, mats; see damp, mould and pests.
• Before winter: heaters checked, warm bedding, ventilation; see cold-weather warmth for older adults.
• Before festivals and guests: extra clutter, lights and extension cords.
• During pollution seasons: air purifier filters; see pollution season plan for seniors.

After the check

• Write a list of what needs fixing: item, who, by when.
• Prioritise safety: anything that could cause a fall, fire or delay in help comes first.
• Fix, replace or ask for help.
• Record the date and the changes.
• Share the results with family and carers.
• Thank your parent for their help.

When to ask a professional

Call an electrician for any wiring, socket or geyser concern; a gas technician for gas smells, hoses or regulators; a plumber for leaks or hot water problems; a builder for loose rails, damaged steps and floors; and an occupational therapist for a full home assessment; see occupational therapy home assessment. Ask a doctor if your parent has had a fall, near fall or new difficulty. Our care advisors can arrange a home safety visit and tradespeople.