Falls at home checklist

Most falls happen at home, and many of the fixes are small. Go round the house and tick what applies, for yourself or someone you look after.

Your details

Age of the person

Things to look at in the home

3

home fixes worth doing

  • Loose rugs, clutter or trailing wiresTape down or remove rugs, tidy wires along the wall, keep walkways clear
  • Dim stairs or no light on the way to the loo at nightBrighter bulbs on stairs, a plug-in night light, a lamp you can reach from bed
  • Slippers or shoes that slip offWell fitting shoes or slippers with a good grip
  • Asking about fallsFrom 65, NICE says health professionals should ask about falls in the last year

This is a checklist, not a verdict on anyone. The NHS suggests staying active (strength and balance at least twice a week), good shoes, a non-slip bath mat, rails, decent lighting and less clutter. You can ask your council for a free care needs assessment, which can include making the home safer, and a personal alarm or a phone kept on you means help is close if a fall does happen.

Call 999 if someone has fallen and may have hurt their head, neck, back or hip, or cannot get up. Call NHS 111 if they may be hurt or unwell. See a GP if you have had a fall or are worried about your balance: they can refer you to a falls service.

The working

Age 78, with rugs, dim stairs and loose slippers

That gives 3 home fixes: tape down or remove rugs and tidy wires, brighten the stairs and add a night light, and swap to slippers with a good grip. At 78, NICE says health professionals should ask about falls in the last year.

If someone falls

From the NHS

  • Stay calm and check for pain before trying to move
  • To get up: roll to your side, get onto hands and knees, crawl to a sturdy chair, put one foot flat and rise slowly
  • If you cannot get up, call for help, keep warm, and move a little every 30 minutes
  • Call 999 if they may have hurt their head, neck, back or hip, or cannot get up

Help you can ask for

Free in England

  • A care needs assessment from your council, which can include home adaptations
  • A falls service referral from your GP, sometimes self referral
  • A medicines review from your GP or pharmacist
  • A personal alarm, often through your council

Read with care

What this cannot tell you

  • Score anyone's riskIt lists fixes, not a falls risk rating.
  • Replace a falls assessmentA GP or falls service looks at strength, balance, eyesight and medicines properly.
  • See the houseAn occupational therapist can spot things a checklist misses.

Questions

Common questions

How can I make my home safer from falls?

Clear clutter and trailing wires, add lighting on stairs and at night, fit grab rails and stair rails, use a non-slip bath mat and wear shoes or slippers with grip.

Who can check my home for falls hazards?

Ask your council for a free care needs assessment, or your GP about a falls service, which may include a home visit.

Can medicines cause falls?

Yes, some cause dizziness or drowsiness. Ask your GP or pharmacist for a review; do not stop medicines on your own.

What should I do after a fall?

Tell your GP, even if you were not hurt. NICE says people who have fallen should be asked about it and offered help.

Sources

Last checked 21 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

Stay safe and get support

Call 999 if someone has fallen and may have hurt their head, neck, back or hip, or cannot get up. See a GP if you have had a fall or are worried about balance: they can refer you to a falls service. Age UK's advice line is free on 0800 678 1602.

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