Failing eyesight, impaired hearing, unsteady gait, memory loss, side effects of medications… they all increase the chances for elderly to suffer injuries. One of the leading causes of injuries is falls, and more than 50 percent of falls occur in the home. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than one-third of all people over 65 suffer falls each year, and they are the leading cause of injury-related deaths.

Having a medical emergency response system in the home such as ADT’s Senior Alert can be a lifesaver in the event of a fall, but it’s smarter to prevent the fall – and the call – in the first place. If you are elderly and live at home, or if you care for an aging family member or friend in their home or yours, act now to make the home safe for seniors.

• Remove all scatter rugs; if you must have rugs, secure them to the floor
• Keep all electrical and telephone cords off the floor or out of the way
• Install sturdy stair railings inside and outside the home, ideally on both sides of the stairs
• If stair treads are slippery or polished, install or attach a non-slip surface
• Use nightlights throughout the house, especially in bathrooms
• Ensure household lighting is adequate, preferably non-glare 100 watt bulbs
• If possible, install a grab bar in the tub or shower area and near the toilet
• Be sure bathroom doors can be unlocked from both sides in the event of a fall
• Avoid using step stools and ladders and never stand on a chair

Doctors also recommend that seniors consider an exercise program to help them gain strength and balance. Footwear worn in the home should fit properly and the sole should not be too thick or heavily patterned. Persistent dizziness or lightheadedness could be caused by medications and should be brought to the prescribing physician’s attention. Regular eye exams are also recommended. Start practicing these tips today to prevent a fall tomorrow.

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You decide to pick up pizza on your way home from work and the aroma drifting up from the box on the car floor is making you hungry. So you park in the driveway, grab the pizza, and rush to the house for dinner. A bit later, you take the empty box out to the trash and… “Hey, the car’s gone!”

Car theft can happen anywhere, but when it happens right in your own driveway it’s time to give some thought to home security beyond the front door. Even people with sophisticated home security systems neglect their cars, driveways and garages. And that’s like putting a sign on your car that says “Steal Me.”

First, never leave your car unlocked, whether it’s in your driveway, garage or parking lot. It takes only a second for a thief to check the ignition and try the door handle. Once he’s in, you’re out of luck. If your car is stolen, it will likely end up in a chop shop where it will be stripped and the parts sold. And if a thief has your car keys, there’s a good chance he also has keys to your house. Worried yet?

Even a locked car won’t stop a thief. Smash and grab theft is on the increase, with professional thieves and local punks looking for anything they can swipe and sell. Airbags and stereo equipment are particularly popular and easy to swap for cash. If possible, install a CD changer in the trunk as most smash and grab thieves won’t take the time to look there. In fact, never leave anything of value in plain sight. If you can’t put an item in the trunk, try to conceal it under a seat or hide it with another item. And don’t think a coat or blanket is always a foolproof cover – the homeless break into cars to steal them.

If you have a high-value or high theft rate vehicle, keep it in a garage if possible, and keep the garage door closed. The less a thief knows about you and what’s going on inside your garage, the better. And never leave the garage door open when you’re not home, even if you’re just driving to the market for milk and bread. It only takes a thief a minute to steal tools, equipment, bikes – even a ladder to enter through a second story window.

There are even thieves who have figured out how to open your garage door with their own remote device. If possible, especially if you are going away for an extended time and have activated your home security system, put a padlock through the holes on the garage door’s track to prevent it from opening.

Car theft can happen anywhere – but it can be scariest when it happens right in front of your home. An anti-theft device is a good investment if it’s in your budget. If not, always take a minute to take precautions, and lock it up.

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In 2008, there were 3,320 fire-related deaths in the United States, and 84% of those deaths were in residence fires. An additional 16,705 people were injured and 118 firemen killed. Fire detectors and alarms as part of a home security system can make the difference between safety and tragedy. But the best defense is to prevent house fires in the first place. Here are some tips to get you started.

• Never, ever smoke in bed
• Never, ever leave candles burning unattended
• Have your heating system inspected to insure it is working properly and that there are no dangerous maintenance or condition problems
• If you have a fireplace or wood stove, have the chimney cleaned regularly to avoid dangerous creosote buildups that can quickly become raging chimney fires. Place a grate in front of a fireplace to prevent sparks or logs from escaping and setting surrounding materials on fire; use a grate even if you have glass doors that you leave open for burning
• Make sure appliances such as refrigerators, stoves or clothes dryers are not pushed directly against a wall where they can overheat
• Never overload electrical circuits or have too many devices plugged into one outlet
• Do not let grease from cooking build up in a fan filter or ducting above the kitchen stove
• Keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen, cellar area and garage and be sure all family members know how to use it; also consider keeping one in your vehicle
• If possible, keep bedroom doors closed while sleeping to prevent the spread of smoke and fire
• Have a family escape plan in the event of fire, including exit routes and a designated meeting place outside the home

Finally, test your smoke detectors regularly and replace the batteries in all your smoke detectors at least annually. To ensure you don’t forget, designate a specific day every year to develop this lifesaving habit – perhaps Valentine’s Day, to show your family how much you love them.

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