Safe living spaces prevent falls

When thinking about safety for the new year, some may think of drinking and driving or drunken drivers. Please continue to be cautious while driving, but more importantly, be safe when it comes to getting one year older. Yes, another year has flown by and you might be like me: a senior.

It’s time to get ready for the future, even if you don’t feel like a senior. For those who are seniors, it is important to be proactive about health, which might mean eating better, drinking less alcohol and exercising more. However, this alone will not stop an accident. As we get older, we don’t think about the consequences of not creating a safe environment. However, all of us seniors need to be proactive in our homes.

So how do become environmentally proactive? We need to breakdown key accident-prone areas in the home. The main ones are stairs, slippery walkways and bathrooms.

1) Slippery walkways: Use mildew cleaners and be very careful when wearing dress shoes. Additionally, it is recommended to put down non-slip strips and walk slower.

2) Stairs: For sure, no sliding on the railing. Instead, hold the railing since that’s what it is for. Go slower (especially going down) and be extra careful if you are carrying something.

3) Bathrooms: Seventy-two percent of all seniors get hurt in the bathroom, while 99% of these accidents are getting in and out of the bathtub. Get rid of the bathtub and put in a shower with handi-bars, a non-slip floor and a seat. Avoid slippery floors by changing the bathroom floor to a non-slip vinyl floor. Use handi-bars for towel bars and get a taller toilet. These installations keep it simple but safe.

There are actually many other ideas for the home to make a safe environment and as we get older it is the smartest thing we can do. Why? Because who can afford $4,000 to $15,000 per month at a care home? However, more importantly, who wants to leave home?

So, become environmentally proactive. Be selfish for yourself to have a better quality of life because no one plans an accident. We may turn too fast or bump into something and we are on the floor. That’s how accidents happen.

I am Matt Houar, the owner of Tropical. This is the best advice I, a contractor who specializes in being environmentally proactive, can give you. Visit the company’s showroom at 1351 S. Beretania St.