Preventing Falls at Home: A Room-by-Room Checklist

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

Most falls at home have simple causes that can be put right: loose rugs, poor light, clutter, awkward steps and unsuitable footwear. Work through the house room by room, keep your strength and balance up, and ask your GP for a falls assessment if you have fallen or feel unsteady.

Falls are not an inevitable part of ageing

A fall can knock your confidence as much as your body, and fear of falling makes people do less, which weakens muscles and raises the risk further. The good news is that the NHS says there is a lot you can do, both to your home and for yourself, to lower the risk. None of it needs to make your home look like a hospital.

Room-by-room checklist

Hall, stairs and landing

Stairs kept completely clear. Nothing "waiting to go up".
A sturdy handrail, ideally on both sides, running the full length.
Bright light with a switch at top and bottom. See lighting for ageing eyes.
Stair carpet firmly fixed, not worn or frayed; no patterned carpet that hides step edges.
A contrasting strip on the edge of any awkward or single step.

Living room

Remove loose rugs and mats, or fix them down with non-slip underlay or tape. Curled edges are a classic trip.
Tidy trailing flexes away from walkways; move the phone and lamp nearer the socket.
Clear, wide routes between furniture.
A chair that is high and firm enough to stand up from easily, with arms. See riser recliner chairs.

Kitchen

Everyday items stored between hip and shoulder height.
No climbing on chairs. If you must reach high, use proper steps with a handrail and have someone with you.
A perching stool if standing for long makes you tired or unsteady.

Bedroom

A lamp or switch you can reach from bed, and a night light on the way to the toilet.
Bed at a height where your feet are flat on the floor when you sit on the edge.
Sit on the edge of the bed for a moment before standing, especially at night.
Phone or alarm button by the bed. Sit down to dress.

Bathroom and toilet

Non-slip mat in the bath or shower, and a bath mat that grips the floor.
Grab rails by the bath, shower and toilet, properly fixed to the wall. Never use a towel rail or basin to pull up on.
A shower seat or bath lift if getting in and out is hard, and a raised toilet seat if the toilet is low.

Outside

Paths and steps even, clear of moss, leaves and hoses.
A rail at the front and back steps; an outside light with a sensor.
See ramps and threshold aids for raised door sills.

Looking after yourself

Strength and balance exercise. The NHS says exercises that improve strength and balance reduce the risk of falling. Activities such as walking and dancing count, and many areas run specialist classes. Speak to your GP before starting if you have not been active.
Medicines. Some medicines, or combinations of them, cause dizziness or drowsiness. Ask your GP or pharmacist for a medicines review, particularly if you take several. Do not stop anything without advice.
Eyes. Have regular eye tests, free from 60. Take care on stairs with bifocals or varifocals. See free prescriptions and eye tests.
Feet and footwear. Wear well-fitting shoes or slippers with a back and a grippy sole; avoid walking in socks or tights. See slippers and footwear.
Dizziness. If you feel dizzy when you stand up, or have blackouts or unexplained falls, tell your GP.
Walking aids. Use the stick or frame you have been given, check the rubber ferrules (tips) are not worn smooth, and have the height checked. See walking sticks.

NHS and council falls services

If you have had a fall, more than one stumble, or are worried about your balance, tell your GP. They can carry out some simple checks and may refer you to a local falls prevention service. These are run by NHS community teams and typically offer:

a falls risk assessment looking at balance, strength, eyesight, medicines, blood pressure and footwear;
a strength and balance exercise programme, in a group or at home;
a home hazard assessment, where a trained professional such as an occupational therapist visits to spot risks and arrange equipment or small adaptations.

What is available and how you are referred varies from area to area and between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can also ask your council for a needs assessment yourself; in England, equipment and minor adaptations costing under £1,000 that you are assessed as needing, such as grab rails and stair rails, are free. Apply through GOV.UK. The NHS website has more on preventing falls, and Age UK publishes a free guide to staying steady.

If you do fall

General NHS advice is to stay calm and take a moment to check whether you are hurt.

If you are not hurt and feel able to get up: do not rush. Roll onto your hands and knees, crawl to a stable piece of furniture such as a chair, and use it to rise slowly. Sit and rest before carrying on.
If you are hurt or cannot get up: call for help, using your alarm or phone, by shouting, or by banging on the wall or floor. Call 999 if you are injured. Keep warm with anything in reach and keep moving gently if you can, to stay comfortable while you wait.
Tell your GP about any fall, even if you were not hurt.

A personal alarm means help can be called from wherever you are, and a key safe lets helpers in.

Useful low-cost items

Non-slip rug underlay or rug tape: around £5 to £15.
Non-slip bath or shower mat: around £8 to £20.
Motion-sensor night lights: around £8 to £20 a pack.
Cable tidies and clips: a few pounds.
Replacement walking stick ferrules: around £2 to £6.

Rough guides only. Rails that take your weight should be fitted by someone competent; many councils and local Age UK branches run handyperson services.

Common questions

Who do I contact for a home falls assessment?

Start with your GP, who can refer you to the local falls service, or ask your council's adult social care team for a needs assessment.

Should I get rid of all my rugs?

Removing loose rugs is the safest option. If you want to keep one, fix it down so the edges cannot curl or slide, and keep it out of main walkways.

I have fallen but was not hurt. Do I need to tell anyone?

Yes, mention it to your GP. A fall can be a sign of something that is easily put right, such as a medicine that needs changing.