Is Your Home a Fall Risk? A Free 2-Minute Home Safety Check

One in three people over 65, and one in two over 80, will fall this year. Most of those falls happen at home, and most are preventable. This two-minute check shows you where the risks are in your home, and exactly what to do about each one.

A fall is rarely just a fall. It is the single biggest reason older people end up in A&E, and a bad one can mean a hip fracture, a long stay in hospital, and a permanent loss of confidence and independence. The frustrating part is how often the cause is something small and fixable: a loose rug, a missing handrail, a dark landing, a bath that has become too high to climb into safely.

You cannot make a home risk-free. You can remove the handful of hazards that cause most falls, usually for very little.

Why these things matter so much

The bathroom and the stairs are the two most dangerous places in any home. Wet, hard surfaces and the act of climbing in and out of a bath account for a large share of serious falls, which is why grab rails, non-slip surfaces and, where needed, a level-access shower or wet room make such a difference. On the stairs, a second handrail and good lighting are the cheapest insurance you can buy, and for anyone who genuinely struggles, a stairlift removes the single most dangerous journey in the house.

Lighting and loose rugs are the quiet culprits. Poor lighting roughly doubles the risk of a fall, and a curled rug edge or a trailing cable is all it takes. None of these fixes are expensive, and several may be free.

Help paying for changes

Many home safety adaptations are cheap or free. The Disabled Facilities Grant provides up to £30,000 in England (£36,000 in Wales) towards changes like ramps, stairlifts and wet rooms. Most mobility adaptations are zero-rated for VAT if the person is chronically sick or disabled, and many councils run handyperson schemes that fit grab rails and rails for little or nothing. Your GP can also refer you to an occupational therapist for a free home assessment.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common causes of falls at home?

The biggest culprits are missing or single stair handrails, no grab rails in the bathroom, climbing in and out of a high bath, poor lighting (especially on the route to the toilet at night), and loose rugs or trailing cables. A previous fall and unsteadiness or dizziness also raise the risk sharply.

Which room is most dangerous for falls?

The bathroom and the stairs are the two highest-risk areas. Wet, hard surfaces and getting in and out of a bath cause many serious bathroom falls, while stairs are a leading cause of serious injury. Both can be made much safer with grab rails, non-slip surfaces, good lighting and, where needed, a stairlift or level-access shower.

How can I reduce the risk of falling cheaply?

Start with the free and low-cost wins: remove or tape down loose rugs, improve lighting and add motion night-lights, clear clutter from stairs and walkways, and fit grab rails and a second stair handrail. Many councils fit small aids like grab rails free through a handyperson scheme.

Is there financial help to make a home safer?

Yes. The Disabled Facilities Grant covers up to £30,000 in England for essential adaptations, mobility adaptations are usually VAT-free for disabled or chronically sick people, and an occupational therapist can assess your home for free via a GP referral.

I have already had a fall. What should I do?

Tell your GP, because a previous fall is the strongest predictor of another. Ask for a falls assessment, which can review your medication, balance, eyesight and strength, alongside making your home safer.