Home safety

Getting in and out of bed safely, especially during the night, is important for reducing falls. A few simple changes can help make your bedroom safer and easier to move around.

This page looks at common bedroom risks and how to reduce them - from lighting and furniture height to keeping essentials within easy reach.

Make Getting In and Out of Bed Easier

• If your bed is too high or too low, it can be hard to get up or lie down safely.
• Consider the height of your mattress and whether it gives enough support — overly soft beds may make movement harder.
• Avoid bedding that’s slippery, trailing, or difficult to manage — especially at night.
• If another chair in the house is a better height for you, consider swapping them over or using cushions or risers safely.

Improve Night-time Safety 

• Use a plug-in night light or a motion-activated light to help you see clearly if you get up in the night.
• Keep the route from your bed to the bathroom free of obstacles. Avoid rugs or mats that could move underfoot.
• If you can, use a bedside lamp, torch or battery-operated push light within easy reach of the bed.
• Avoid using extension cables or overloading plug sockets — they’re a tripping and fire risk.

Keep Essentials Within Reach

• A sturdy bedside table can hold items like a drink, glasses, phone or pendant alarm.
• Avoid getting out of bed to retrieve things you use regularly — plan ahead and keep them nearby.
• If you wear a personal alarm, make sure it's accessible from the bed — ideally worn overnight or placed within easy reach.

Calling for Assistance

If you live alone or worry about needing help in the night, it’s a good idea to have a plan for calling assistance.

A personal alarm worn around your neck or wrist can offer peace of mind. Keep a mobile phone, torch or pendant alarm near your bed in case you need it during the night. Speak to your local support services about what's available.

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Find Support

Please find below useful links, relevant resources and contact information. All links open in a new window and may include links to websites, videos, and PDF files for downloading and printing. 

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Local Support 

Visit our Help and Contacts section
Find local help and support
Find help to stay active in your area
Find local home safety support

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Falls Prevention Team

South Tees Falls Team
If you require general falls prevention advice and support or don't know where to start, please contact the Falls Team at Low Grange Health Centre, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm.
Phone: 01642 944484
Email: ste-tr.fallsteam@nhs.net

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Social Services

If you are struggling to manage around your home, contact your GP surgery and ask to be referred for a rehabilitation assessment.
Redcar and Cleveland: 01642 065070
Middlesbrough: 01642 065070

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Home and Fire Safety Checks

Cleveland Fire Brigade Safety Check 
Our free Online Home Fire Safety Check is the quickest and easiest way to get personalised advice for your home. The tool provides personalised fire safety advice based on each household’s home, behaviours and lifestyle. 

Offering Safer Homes Visits to people who may be at greater risk from fire. These visits can include our trained staff visiting your home to provide safety advice, conduct smoke alarm checks, and fit free alarms if needed.

Hartlepool: 01429 851258
Middlesbrough: 01642 811650
Redcar and Cleveland: 01642 777651
Stockton-on-Tees: 01642 366180

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Support Services

Age UK Teesside
Age UK Teesside has a wide range of services to help over-50s in Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland make the most of their lives, finances, social lives, and health & wellbeing.
Phone: 01642 805500
Email: info@ageukteesside.org.uk

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Helpful Links 

Guide to improving sleep - NHS
How to improve your sleep - Age UK
Home adaptations, care services and equipment - NHS
Identifying hazards at home - NHS Inform
Make your Home safer - Age UK
Preventing falls in your home: a room-by-room guide - RoSPA (video)
Preventing falls in your home: a guide to safety aids - RoSPA (video)
Preventing falls checklist - RoSPA

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More on this website

Visit our Information and Advice section
Visit our Staying Active section
Visit our Home Safety section
Visit our Help and Contacts section 
Start your online Self-Assessment

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