Tips for an Accessible Home During the Holidays

If you or someone you know has issues with aging, disability or chronic illness, then getting around the home may be more difficult than it is for others. It is for this reason why the home should be made more accessible and in this article we will outline some of the ways in which to do this.

These tips are generally good for those that have limited use of the hands and may need to use a wheelchair in order to get around. The first thing to consider is the mobile phone that you have in the property and it is important that you have numbers saved on the phone in case of an emergency situation. These numbers could include your doctor, as well as the police and the fire service. This phone needs to be charged and needs to be considered in terms of its battery power so that it is ready to use in case of an emergency.

If an emergency does take place that involves a fire then it is important that you have the right equipment to extinguish the fire. A fire extinguisher can be bought from a safety store and can be placed in an area of the home so that it is easy to access.

Stairways are a place where accidents can happen and it is therefore important to keep them well lit. It is also a good idea to have railings installed on each side of the stairway. If you have steps that stop suddenly you may also want to put luminous paint on this area so that you can easily see where the steps end. If you have steps outdoors then you may also want to apply a grippy surface such as sand.

Consider arranging furniture in the home in a way so that it is easy to get around. You may also choose to put grips on things so that they are easier to hold and this may include cleaning products such as rakes and mops. See-through bins can also be useful so that you can see how full a bin is before it needs to be removed.