This check is not a medical test. It can't tell you how likely Mom or Dad is to fall. It shows you what in the house could trip, slip or hide a step. If a parent has already fallen, or feels dizzy or unsteady, tell their doctor. After a fall, doctors ask about symptoms beforehand and review medicines, vision and balance, according to the MSD Manual's page on falls in older adults (updated July 2025).

Why it's worth an hour

Falls among adults 65 and older caused over 43,000 deaths in 2024, and about 4.5 million emergency department visits, according to the CDC's falls page (dated September 8, 2026). The same page says falls can be prevented.

The MSD Manual says at least 1 in 4 older adults falls once a year. A person who has fallen once is more likely to fall again.

How to use the list

Go room by room, ideally with your parent. Walk where they walk, at the hour they walk it. Late at night is the real test. Tick each item that is already true. Every item you can't tick is a hazard to fix.

The list below comes from the MSD Manual's Checklist for Preventing Falls in the Home. We grouped it and added a few hands-on tests of our own.

Every room

  • A light switch is within reach when you walk in.
  • Lighting is bright enough. Motion or touch lights help.
  • No electrical or extension cords cross a walking path.
  • No throw rugs. No torn or curled flooring.
  • Phones are cordless, so nobody rushes to the wall.
  • Furniture is sturdy: no loose legs, wheels or swivels.
  • Hallways and stairways are free of clutter.
  • Walkways are clear.

Kitchen

  • Cabinets they use daily are between waist and eye level.
  • Nonslip mats are on the floor.

Bedroom

  • A light is within reach of the bed.
  • A night-light shows the way out.
  • Rugs are tacked down or nonskid, or the floor is wall-to-wall carpet.

Bathroom

  • The toilet seat is raised.
  • Grab bars are in place.
  • Nonslip mats are on the floor.
  • A night-light is on.
  • The tub or shower has skid-resistant strips or a rubber mat.
  • Your parent wears shower shoes or uses a bath seat.
  • Locks are removed, or open from both sides of the door.

Try this one with your own hands: have Mom sit on the toilet and stand up. Mark where her hand goes. That's where a bar belongs. A towel bar will not do.

Living room and steps

  • Rugs are tacked down or nonskid, or the floor is wall-to-wall carpet.
  • Chairs have armrests.
  • Steps, inside and outside, are well lit.
  • Steps have sturdy railings and nonslip treads.
  • Riser height is under 15 cm (about 6 inches).
  • Each step is marked with a bright adhesive strip.

What your count means

There is no score here, and we won't pretend there is one. Use the count to decide where to start.

  1. Free, today: rugs, cords, clutter, clear walkways, cordless phones.
  2. Cheap, this week: night-lights, bedside light, nonslip mats, shower strips, bath seat, tacked-down rugs.
  3. Needs a plan and a quote: grab bars, a raised toilet seat, stair railings, treads and lighting on steps.

Bathroom items come first when you can only do a few. The MSD Manual's prevention advice names grab bars by the toilet and tub, nonslip mats, and handrails and nonskid strips on stairs. To put a number on a bathroom job, try the senior bathroom remodel cost estimator.

Beyond the house

The MSD Manual also lists steps that aren't about the house. Your parent can exercise, including balance work. They can wear shoes with nonslip soles and stand up slowly. A doctor can review medicines for fall risk. Vision should be kept current. If they use a cane or walker, a physical therapist can help.

Next steps

Print the room-by-room home safety checklist to take through the house, then use the budget planner to price what you found and decide what comes first. If a parent uses a cane or walker, or has fallen, ask their doctor about a physical or occupational therapy visit.

Last checked: November 11, 2026.