Home safety

Getting from room to room safely helps you stay steady and independent. A few small changes can reduce the risk of trips, slips or losing your balance.

This section offers practical tips to help you stay steady and confident as you move around your home.

Clear Walkways and Clutter-Free Floors

• Keep pathways clear: Remove shoes, bags, boxes or anything left on the floor that could be tripped over.
• Tidy as you go: Try to avoid leaving items on stairs, in doorways, or along routes you use often.
• Use storage: Baskets, shelves or small trolleys can help keep essentials within reach but out of the way.
• Consider grabbers or reachers: These can help reduce bending or overreaching when picking things up.

Safe Flooring and Carpets

• Check for loose mats or rugs: These are a common cause of falls. Use non-slip backing or remove them altogether.
• Look for curled edges: Tape down any worn carpet or flooring that lifts at the edges.
• Choose non-slip surfaces: If you’re thinking of replacing flooring, look for materials that provide grip underfoot.

Steps and Stairs

• Use a handrail: Always hold onto a secure handrail when using stairs. Consider adding a second rail if needed.
• Improve visibility: Make sure stairs and landings are well-lit. Use two-way switches so lights can be controlled at both ends.
• Mark edges: Use contrasting tape or stair edging to highlight step edges, especially if your vision is changing.
• Don’t rush: Always take your time, especially if carrying items. Never carry too much at once.

Lighting and Visibility

• Brighten up: Use good overhead lighting and plug-in night lights in hallways and bedrooms.
• Use motion sensors: Automatic lights are helpful if you get up in the night or return home after dark.
• Match lighting levels: Sudden changes from bright to dim lighting can affect vision and balance. Keep lighting consistent across spaces.

Furniture and Layout

• Create clear routes: Rearrange furniture if needed to avoid tight spaces or awkward corners.
• Avoid unstable furniture: Don’t use lightweight chairs, tables or radiators for support — they may tip over.
• Keep things close: Store frequently used items at waist height to avoid too much bending or stretching.

Other Tips

• Wear well-fitting footwear indoors: Avoid loose slippers or socks on slippery floors.
• Use mobility aids correctly: If you've been given a stick or frame, make sure it's the right height and used as advised.
• Stay active: Regular movement, even gentle exercises, can help maintain your balance and confidence around the home.

Calling for Assistance

If you ever fall or need help, it’s important to have a simple way to call for assistance - especially if you live alone. Keeping a mobile phone close by or having a landline phone within reach can make a big difference. You might also want to think about using a personal alarm, such as a pendant or wrist-worn device, so you can get help quickly if you can’t get to a phone.

If you're unsure what's right for you, local social care services or home adaptation teams can help you find safe, reliable options.

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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. 

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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Helpful Links 

Home adaptations, care services and equipment - NHS
Identifying hazards at home - NHS Inform
Make your Home safer - Age UK
Home safety and security - Age UK
Preventing falls in your home: a room-by-room guide - RoSPA (video)
Avoiding falls within your home - RoSPA
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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