Aging in place means having the freedom to stay in your own home as you grow older, surrounded by the memories and comforts you have built over the years. But for that to work safely, your home needs to work with you, not against you. A thorough home safety audit helps you identify potential hazards before they become problems and prioritize the changes that will make the biggest difference.
This checklist covers every major area of your home, from the front door to the bedroom closet. You do not need to address everything at once. Use this guide to walk through your space, note what needs attention, and create a plan that fits your budget and timeline.
How to Use This Checklist
Set aside an hour or two to walk through your home with fresh eyes. Bring a notepad or use your phone to take photos of areas that need attention. Consider inviting a trusted friend or family member to join you, as they may notice things you have grown accustomed to overlooking.
For each room, check off the items that are already in good shape and make a note of anything that needs improvement. After completing the audit, review your notes and prioritize based on urgency and impact. High-risk areas like the bathroom and stairs should typically come first, followed by improvements that affect daily routines.
Remember that small changes often make the biggest difference. A brighter light bulb, a non-slip mat, or a relocated piece of furniture can dramatically improve safety without major expense or renovation.
Entryways & Outdoor Areas
The path to your front door is where many trips and falls begin. Uneven walkways, poor lighting, and slippery surfaces in wet or icy weather all pose risks. A safe entryway sets the tone for the rest of your home.
Outdoor Checklist
- Walkways are even, without cracks or raised edges
- Outdoor lighting illuminates the path from driveway or street to door
- Handrails are installed on all exterior steps
- Steps are in good repair with no loose boards or crumbling concrete
- Non-slip strips or coating on steps if surface is smooth
- Door threshold is low or has a smooth transition
Front Entry Checklist
- Doorbell and intercom are easy to hear from inside
- Door locks are easy to operate with one hand
- Lever-style door handle or easy-grip knob installed
- Mat outside the door is securely anchored and does not slip
- A bench or chair near the entry for removing shoes or resting
For more on making your entryway accessible, explore our home entry and outdoor products.
Living Areas
Living rooms, family rooms, and dens are where we spend much of our waking time. Furniture placement, floor coverings, and lighting all affect how safely you move through these spaces.
Lighting
- Light switches accessible at room entries
- Bright, even lighting throughout the room
- Task lighting available for reading and hobbies
- Night lights in outlets along common pathways
Furniture & Pathways
- Clear pathways at least 36 inches wide through all rooms
- Furniture is stable and does not tip when leaned on
- Chairs and sofas are at a height that allows easy sitting and standing
- Coffee tables have rounded corners or protective padding
- Electrical cords are tucked away, not crossing walkways
- All loose rugs removed or secured with non-slip backing
Consider smart home devices like voice-controlled lights to make turning lights on and off easier without reaching for switches.
Kitchen Safety
The kitchen combines sharp objects, heat sources, and often slippery floors. Organizing your kitchen for safety makes daily meal preparation more comfortable and reduces the risk of accidents.
Kitchen Safety Checklist
- Frequently used items stored at waist to shoulder height
- Step stool with handrail available if reaching higher shelves is necessary
- Non-slip mat in front of sink and stove
- Good lighting over work surfaces and stove
- Stove controls clearly marked and easy to read
- Auto-shutoff kettle and appliances where possible
- Fire extinguisher accessible and not expired
- Lever-style faucet handles for easy operation
- Cabinet and drawer pulls are easy to grip
Explore our kitchen safety products for adaptive utensils, jar openers, and other aids that make meal preparation easier.
Bathroom Safety
The bathroom is statistically the most dangerous room in the home for older adults. The combination of hard surfaces, water, and small spaces creates multiple hazard points. Fortunately, targeted improvements here can make a dramatic difference.
Bathroom Safety Checklist
- Grab bars installed near toilet and in shower or tub
- Non-slip mat or adhesive strips inside tub or shower
- Non-slip bath mat with rubber backing outside tub
- Raised toilet seat if needed for easier sitting and standing
- Shower chair or transfer bench available if needed
- Handheld showerhead with long hose installed
- Water heater set to 120 degrees F or lower to prevent scalding
- Night light near toilet for nighttime trips
- Medicine cabinet contents at reachable height
For a more detailed assessment of your bathroom, see our complete bathroom safety checklist. Browse all bathroom safety products including grab bars, shower chairs, and raised toilet seats.
Bedroom Safety
You spend roughly a third of your life in the bedroom, and nighttime trips to the bathroom are a common time for falls. Making your bedroom safe and accessible supports better sleep and safer movement.
Bedroom Safety Checklist
- Bed height allows feet to touch floor when sitting on edge
- Bed rail or transfer handle available if needed for getting in and out
- Light switch or lamp within reach from the bed
- Night light illuminates path from bed to bathroom
- Phone or medical alert device within reach from bed
- Closet contents organized at accessible heights
- Clear path from bed to door with no obstacles
- No loose rugs or cords on the floor
Explore our bedroom safety products for bed rails, adjustable beds, and other sleep safety solutions.
Stairs & Hallways
Stairs are one of the most common locations for serious falls. If your home has stairs, making them as safe as possible is essential. Even single steps between rooms deserve attention.
Stairs & Hallways Checklist
- Sturdy handrails on both sides of all stairs
- Handrails extend beyond the top and bottom steps
- All steps are in good repair with no loose boards or carpet
- Stair treads have non-slip surface or strips
- Top and bottom steps clearly visible, contrasting edge tape if needed
- Light switches at both top and bottom of stairs
- Stairway well-lit with no shadows on steps
- Nothing stored on stairs or in the way of handrails
- Hallway lighting adequate with no dark spots
If stairs are becoming difficult, consider whether a stair lift might be appropriate, or explore whether essential living can be consolidated to one floor.
Emergency Preparedness
Even with all safety measures in place, emergencies can happen. Being prepared means you can respond quickly and get help when you need it.
Emergency Preparedness Checklist
- Working smoke detectors on every floor and in each bedroom
- Carbon monoxide detector installed if home has gas appliances or attached garage
- Smoke and CO detector batteries replaced at least annually
- Fire extinguisher accessible in kitchen and garage
- Emergency contact numbers posted in visible location
- Medical alert system or personal emergency response device available
- Flashlight with fresh batteries in easily accessible location
- First aid kit stocked and accessible
- List of current medications readily available
- Escape plan practiced and known to family members
Our daily living aids section includes medical alert systems and other devices that help you stay connected in an emergency.
Prioritizing Improvements
After completing your audit, you will likely have a list of items to address. Here is how to think about prioritizing them.
Address immediate hazards first. Anything that poses a clear and present danger should be handled right away. This includes loose rugs in walkways, burned-out bulbs in stairways, and missing handrails on stairs you use daily.
Focus on high-use, high-risk areas next. The bathroom and stairs are where most serious falls occur. Improvements here, like grab bars and better lighting, offer the greatest return on investment in terms of safety.
Consider your daily routines. Think about the paths you walk most often: from bedroom to bathroom at night, from kitchen to living room during the day. Make sure these routes are as safe as possible.
Balance cost and impact. Many high-impact improvements are also inexpensive. Better light bulbs, non-slip mats, and cord management cost little but make a real difference. Save larger investments, like walk-in tubs or stair lifts, for when they become truly necessary.
Plan for the future. Your needs may change over time. When making improvements, consider whether they will continue to serve you as mobility or vision changes. Universal design principles often provide the best long-term value.
Remember that you do not have to do everything at once. Steady progress over time adds up. Each improvement you make is a step toward a home that supports the life you want to live.