Home safety

The living room or lounge is a place to relax, but loose rugs, trailing wires or low furniture can all raise your risk of tripping or falling.

This page helps you make your living space safer and easier to move around. From seating height to furniture layout, small changes can make a big difference to comfort and confidence at home.

Check Your Seating

• Make sure your chair is at a suitable height. If it's too low or too soft, it may be harder to stand up safely.
• If another chair in your home is better suited, consider swapping it into your living space.
• Avoid chairs with wheels or casters, as these can move unexpectedly when you're sitting down or getting up.
• Chair risers or extra cushions can help, but only if they're stable and don’t slip.

Reduce Clutter and Hazards

• Keep floors clear of books, shoes, bags or other items that could cause a trip.
• Tuck away wires and cords from lamps or chargers — use clips or tape to keep them close to the wall.
• Avoid overloading sockets or using long extension cables where you walk.

Be Mindful of Rugs and Flooring

• Remove any loose mats or rugs that could curl or slide.
• If you choose to keep a rug, use non-slip backing or rug grips to hold it securely in place.
• Watch for worn carpet edges or transitions between rooms that may be uneven or raised.

Think About Room Layout

• Arrange furniture to create clear, wide walkways — especially between frequently used areas.
• If you use a walking aid, make sure there's enough room to use it without bumping into furniture.
• Keep items you use often, like the TV remote, reading glasses or phone, within easy reach.

Calling for Assistance

If you live alone, consider keeping a phone, personal alarm or alert system close to where you sit. A wristband or pendant alarm means you can call for help if you need it, without having to reach across the room.

---

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. 

For a full list of organisations in your local area that can support you, help you to stay active, and improve your home safety, please visit our help and contacts section.

[box]

Support Services

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

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.
01642 944484 / ste-tr.fallsteam@nhs.net

Age UK Teesside
Age UK Teesside has a wide range of services to help over 50s in Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland to achieve the best out of their lives, their finances, social life and health & wellbeing
01642 805500 / info@ageukteesside.org.uk

[/box]

[box]

Home Adaptations and Support

Handyperson and Adaptations, Redcar and Cleveland
We offer assistance to older, disabled and vulnerable people by providing advice on housing options, minor and major housing adaptations as well as delivering a handyperson service for small jobs.
01642 771500 / HandyPersonAndAdaptations@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk 

Middlesbrough Staying Put Agency
Middlesbrough Staying Put Agency (SPA) is a home improvement agency that offers specialist support and advice to older, vulnerable, and disabled people to help them remain safe and independent in their own homes. 
0800 5875 184 / stayingputagency@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Middlesbrough Assistive Technology
Assistive technology means devices or systems that can help you do everyday things that might be hard or impossible otherwise. It can help with a range of difficulties, including memory and movement problems. It can also be called 'technology-enabled care' (TEC).
01642 726009 / telecare@middlesbrough.gov.uk

[/box]

[box]

Fire Safety

Cleveland Fire Brigade Safety Check 
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.
01429 874063

[/box]

[box]

Pendant Alarm and Response Services

Connect Middlesbrough
We offer emergency help and support, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Connect is easy to use and gives you extra security and peace of mind. All of our staff are highly-trained and qualified. We're committed to helping our residents stay safe and independent in their own homes.
01642 726009 / controlroom@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Beyond Housing Reach and Response
For pendant alarm and telecare services in Redcar and Cleveland.
01642 771339

[/box]

[box]

Helpful Links 

Home adaptations, care services and equipment - NHS
Identifying hazards at home - NHS Inform
Preventing falls in your home: a room-by-room guide (video)

[/box]

[box]

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

[/box]

---