A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults

“Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults” is a brochure from the CDC’s STEADI initiative (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) that gives caregivers a simple, authoritative tool for finding and fixing the hazards that cause falls. As a CDC resource, it carries the weight of the nation’s leading public-health authority.

The checklist walks through the home room by room — floors, stairs and steps, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom — prompting users to spot common hazards and offering specific fixes for each. Typical recommendations include removing or securing throw rugs and clutter from walkways, improving lighting and adding nightlights, installing grab bars by the toilet and in the tub or shower, putting handrails on both sides of stairs, and keeping frequently used items within easy reach. Each item pairs a hazard with a concrete action, making the guidance immediately usable.

This resource matters because falls are the leading cause of injury and injury death among older adults, and a large share are preventable through exactly these kinds of simple home changes. A structured, expert checklist ensures caregivers address the most important risks rather than guessing. For families working to make a home safer, the CDC checklist is a trustworthy, free starting point. It can be downloaded from the CDC’s STEADI website and used alongside a professional home safety assessment.