Home Safety Basics for Ageing in Place

Why this matters more than people realise

In 2023–24, falls accounted for 248,211 hospitalisations in Australia — 43% of all injury admissions to Australian hospitals. More than half of all falls happen at home. Beyond the physical injury, a fall often triggers a loss of confidence that can lead to someone becoming less active, which in turn increases the risk of falling again.

What actually reduces risk

The good news: home safety modifications genuinely work. Research shows home safety interventions can reduce overall fall risk by around 26%, and when a professional occupational therapist conducts the assessment specifically, that figure rises significantly — some studies show up to 46% risk reduction.

Room-by-room basics worth checking

• Lighting: bright, non-glare lighting throughout the home, with night lights along the path to the bathroom and hallway lights left on overnight.
• Bathroom: grab bars, non-slip mats, and a shower chair if balance is a concern — the bathroom is consistently one of the highest-risk rooms in the home.
• Floors and rugs: secure loose rugs with non-slip backing, fix uneven carpet edges, and keep walkways genuinely clear of clutter and cords.
• Stairs: handrails on both sides where possible, and contrasting tape on step edges to make them easier to see.

When to bring in a professional

A formal occupational therapy home safety assessment goes well beyond a basic checklist — it looks at how you actually move through your home day to day, your balance and strength, and recommends modifications tailored specifically to you. If you've had a fall recently, or you're noticing balance becoming harder, this is worth raising with your GP or aged care assessor.

The practical side: a clean, clear home is a safer home

Clutter, trailing cords, and slippery floors are genuine, common fall hazards — and they're also exactly the kind of thing regular cleaning keeps in check. A tidy, well-maintained home isn't just more pleasant to live in; it's measurably safer.

Sources: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Better Health Channel (Victoria), Injury Matters, healthdirect.gov.au. Last fact-checked June 2026. This is general information, not medical advice — speak with your GP or an occupational therapist about your specific situation.