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IE Home Safety

Aging in Place Home Safety Checklist

Complete room-by-room guide to making your Inland Empire home safer. Use this checklist to identify modifications that will help you age in place with confidence and independence.

Room-by-Room Guide
Priority Recommendations
Free Professional Assessment

How to Use This Checklist

A systematic approach to home safety

Getting Started

  1. Walk through your home room by room with this checklist
  2. Mark items that need attention in your home
  3. Prioritize based on your current mobility and safety concerns
  4. Schedule a free professional assessment to get expert recommendations
  5. Start with high-priority items (grab bars, lighting, handrails)
  6. Plan for medium-priority items over the next 6-12 months

Immediate (Do First)

  • Grab bars in bathroom (especially if you've fallen or feel unsteady)
  • Remove throw rugs and secure electrical cords
  • Improve lighting in hallways and stairs
  • Install handrails on all stairs
  • Add night lights for safe nighttime navigation

High Priority (Within 3 Months)

  • Walk-in shower conversion if stepping over tub is difficult
  • Stairlift if stairs are becoming challenging
  • Wheelchair ramp if steps at entries are problematic
  • Non-slip flooring in bathroom and kitchen
  • Improved task lighting throughout home

Medium Priority (Within 6-12 Months)

  • Accessible fixtures (comfort-height toilet, lever faucets)
  • Kitchen modifications (pull-out shelves, accessible storage)
  • Bedroom safety improvements (bed height, lighting)
  • Doorway widening if wheelchair access needed
  • Full home safety assessment for comprehensive planning

Bathroom Safety Checklist

The most important room for fall prevention

Bathroom Safety

Grab bars installed in shower/tub (mounted to wall studs, 250+ lb capacity)

HIGH PRIORITY

Grab bar near toilet for safe transfers

HIGH PRIORITY

Non-slip flooring or slip-resistant treatment (DCOF 0.42+ for floors, 0.60+ for showers)

HIGH PRIORITY

Walk-in shower or low-threshold entry (no high tub wall to step over)

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Comfort-height toilet (17-19 inches vs standard 15 inches)

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Handheld showerhead with slide bar for seated showering

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Lever-handle faucets (no twisting required)

LOW PRIORITY

Anti-scald valves to prevent hot water surges

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Shower bench or transfer bench for seated bathing

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Adequate lighting (task lighting at mirror, shower lighting)

HIGH PRIORITY

Night lights with motion sensors for safe nighttime navigation

HIGH PRIORITY

Clear floor space (remove bath mats that can slip)

HIGH PRIORITY
Learn More About Bathroom Safety Modifications

Stairs & Hallways Checklist

Critical for preventing falls

Stairs & Hallways

Sturdy handrails on both sides of stairs (1.25-1.5 inch diameter)

HIGH PRIORITY

Handrails extend beyond top and bottom steps

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Non-slip stair treads or carpet securely fastened

HIGH PRIORITY

Adequate lighting at top and bottom of stairs

HIGH PRIORITY

Light switches at both top and bottom

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Stairlift installed if mobility is limited

HIGH PRIORITY

Clear stairs (no clutter, shoes, or obstacles)

HIGH PRIORITY

Contrasting color on stair edges for visibility

LOW PRIORITY
Learn More About Stairlifts & Handrails

Kitchen Safety Checklist

Maintain independence in meal preparation

Kitchen Safety

Frequently used items stored at accessible heights (no reaching overhead)

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Pull-out shelves or lazy Susans in lower cabinets

LOW PRIORITY

Lever-handle faucets or touchless faucets

LOW PRIORITY

Under-cabinet lighting for better visibility

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Non-slip flooring throughout kitchen

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Clear pathways (no cords, rugs, or obstacles)

HIGH PRIORITY

Accessible appliances (side-opening ovens, drawer dishwashers)

LOW PRIORITY
Learn More About Kitchen Modifications

Bedroom Safety Checklist

Safe sleeping and nighttime navigation

Bedroom Safety

Bed at appropriate height (easy to get in/out, feet flat on floor when sitting)

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Clear pathways to bathroom (no furniture, cords, or rugs)

HIGH PRIORITY

Adequate lighting (bedside lamps, overhead lights)

HIGH PRIORITY

Light switches accessible from bed

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Night lights for safe navigation to bathroom

HIGH PRIORITY

Phone within reach of bed for emergencies

HIGH PRIORITY

Closet organization (frequently used items at accessible heights)

LOW PRIORITY

Entry & Exit Safety Checklist

Safe access to and from your home

Entries & Exits

Wheelchair ramp or zero-step entry at main entrance

HIGH PRIORITY

Handrails at all exterior steps

HIGH PRIORITY

Adequate lighting at all entries (motion-sensor lights recommended)

HIGH PRIORITY

Lever-handle door hardware (no twisting knobs)

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Doorways 32+ inches wide for wheelchair access

MEDIUM PRIORITY

No door thresholds or low thresholds only

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Clear pathways from driveway/garage to main entry

HIGH PRIORITY
Learn More About Ramps & Entry Access

General Home Safety Checklist

Whole-home safety considerations

General Safety

Remove or secure all throw rugs and bath mats

HIGH PRIORITY

Secure or remove electrical cords from walkways

HIGH PRIORITY

Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors (test monthly)

HIGH PRIORITY

Keep emergency numbers posted near phones

HIGH PRIORITY

Install medical alert system or emergency call button

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Ensure adequate lighting throughout home (100+ lumens recommended)

HIGH PRIORITY

Replace burnt-out bulbs immediately

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Install motion-sensor lights in hallways

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Keep flashlights accessible in case of power outages

MEDIUM PRIORITY
Learn More About Safety Lighting

Inland Empire Home-Specific Considerations

Different IE neighborhoods have different challenges

Wood Streets & Arlington (1950s-1960s Homes)

  • Small bathrooms (5x7 feet) - prioritize grab bars and tub-cuts over full remodels
  • Narrow hallways (30-32 inches) - ensure adequate lighting, remove obstacles
  • Original tile floors - add slip-resistant treatments
  • Single-story layout - focus on bathroom and entry accessibility

Canyon Crest & La Sierra (Split-Level Homes)

  • Multiple level changes - handrails essential for all stairs
  • Sunken living rooms - consider stairlifts or platform lifts
  • Larger bathrooms - good candidates for walk-in shower conversions
  • Split-level navigation - comprehensive planning needed for full home access

Orangecrest & Alessandro Heights (1990s-2000s)

  • Two-story homes - stairlifts for master bedroom access
  • Standard construction - straightforward modifications
  • Preventive approach - many families plan ahead before mobility issues
  • Modern electrical - easier to add lighting and safety features

Ready for a Professional Home Safety Assessment?

This checklist is a great start, but a professional assessment provides expert recommendations tailored to your specific home and mobility needs. Free, no obligation, serving all Inland Empire cities.

✓ No obligation ✓ Free in-home assessment ✓ Expert recommendations ✓ All IE cities served

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