Home Safety Team – preventing falls at home
Home Safety Team (HST) Identifies risks and hazards in a resident’s home which may cause a slip, trip, or fall.
The assessment is carried out using a multifactorial assessment tool which allows the Home Safety Team to identify factors relating to the resident and the environment they live in, which can often be the cause of falling.
The HST will carry out an assessment on the following areas:
- Environment -home assessment on any trip hazards/ adaptation or equipment which may support the resident.
- Individual health & wellbeing needs- eyes, dizziness, memory, bone health, feet, bladder/bowl problems, nutrition, and hydration, mental health.
- Medicine management- health conditions, access to a GP & social prescribing service
- Movement & exercise- staying active, OTAGO classes.
- Fear of falling/ isolation- befriending services • What to do if I fall? Steps to take.
- Information about services – financial support, handy persons, transport options, telecare & equipment for assistance.
Self-Assessment tool
For further information or support, please contact the Falls Prevention Manager via:
Telephone: 0208 583 3038 or email at: Home.Safety@hounslow.gov.uk
Preventing Falls at Home
Many falls happen at home, where we spend much of our time and tend to move around without thinking about our safety. There are many changes you can make to your home that will help prevent falls and better ensure your safety.
Floors, stairways, and hallways
- Ensure there are handrails on both sides of any stairs, and make sure they are secure. Hold the handrails when you go up or down stairs, even when you are carrying something. Don’t let anything you’re carrying block your view of the steps.
- Ensure there is good lighting with light switches at the top and bottom of stairs and on each end of a long hall. Consider using motion-activated lights that plug into electrical outlets and automatically turn on when you walk by them to help illuminate stairwells and pathways.
- Keep areas where you walk tidy. Don’t leave books, papers, clothes, or shoes on the floor or stairs.
- Check that all carpets are fixed firmly to the floor, so they won’t slip. Put no-slip strips, which you can buy at any hardware store, on tile and wooden floors.
- Don’t use throw rugs or small area rugs.
- Don’t walk on slippery, newly washed floors.
Bathrooms
- Mount grab bars near toilets and on both the inside and outside of your tub and shower.
- Place non-slip mats, strips, or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet.
- Remember to leave a light on in the bathroom at night or use a night light that turns on automatically in the dark.
Bedrooms
- Put night lights and light switches close to your bed.
- Keep a flashlight by your bed in case the power goes out and you need to get up.
- Place a landline or well-charged phone near your bed.
Kitchen
- Keep frequently used pots, pans, and kitchen utensils in a place where they are easy to reach.
- Clean up spills immediately.
- Prepare food while seated to prevent fatigue or loss of balance.
Outdoor spaces
If you have steps leading to your front door, make sure they are not broken or uneven. • Add non‐slip material to outdoor stairways. • Keep the lawn, deck, or porch areas clear of debris, such as fallen branches. • Consider installing a grab bar near the front door to provide balance while you are locking or unlocking the door. • Turn on your porch light at night and if you leave during the day but plan on returning home after dark. • In the winter, treat outdoor walkways with an ice melt product or sand to make them less slippery.
Other living areas
- Keep electrical cords near walls and away from walking paths.
- Arrange your furniture (especially low coffee tables) and other objects so they are not in your way when you walk.
- Make sure your sofas and chairs are the right height for you to get in and out of easily.
- Keep items you use often at waist level or within easy reach.
- Don’t stand on a chair or table to reach something that’s too high — use a “reach stick” instead or ask for help. Reach sticks are special grabbing tools that you can buy at many hardware or medical-supply stores. If you use a step stool, make sure it’s steady and has a handrail on top. Have someone stand next to you.
- Don’t let your cat or dog trip you. Know where your pet is whenever you’re standing or walking.
- Keep a list of emergency numbers in large print near each landline phone and save them under “favourites” on your mobile phone.
If you have fallen, your doctor might suggest that an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or nurse visit your home. These health care providers can assess your home’s safety and advise you about making changes to lower your risk of falls. You can also access these services by making a self-referral to the Falls and Bone service who can carry out an assessment of your needs.
Calendar of events/ activities
Clayponds Community Hub- Wellbeing session in partnership with Respiratory team. A chance for you to meet HST team and ask questions.
Wellbeing Mondays (Part of Brentford Community Hub) | Hounslow Connect website
Links to other groups and activities
AGE UK- Age UK Hounslow | Our Activity Programme
Goldy Goldy - South Asian women’s group Heston Community Centre Asian men’s group Heston Community Centre.
Links to other useful services:
Home Improvement – Adaptation & Handyperson: 020 8583 3878
Linkline + - 020 8583 4400
CarePlace/ Autonomy - online needs and carers needs assessment: www.hounslow.careplace.org.uk
Hounslow Connect: Falls prevention | Hounslow Connect
Hounslow Community Recovery Service (CRS): 020 3771 6200
Hounslow Integrated Community Recovery Service (ICRS) (in the likely event of a hospital admission please contact - 020 3771 6220
Mulberry Centre: 020 8321 6300 or email: talk@themulberrycentre.co.uk
Continence Advisory Service: 020 8630 3296
Age UK Hounslow: 020 8560 6969 - www.ageuk.org.uk
Alzheimer’s Society: 020 8580 1057 or email: hounslow@alzheimers.org.uk
NHS Information: www.nhs.uk/conditions/falls
Hounslow Foot Clinic: 020 8570 1759
