Living alone has its pleasures. It also has its perils.
My accident happened a year ago on my birthday. I arrived home after work and was running like crazy to get ready and join some friends for a small celebration. Just as I was preparing to leave, I slipped and fell down a flight of hardwood stairs, landing full force on my elbow before tumbling to the bottom of the steps.
Not a great beginning to what promised to be an evening of fun and frivolity. But, I picked myself up, nursed my elbow -- which immediately ballooned into a giant goose egg -- and made the best of the evening.
The next day, aching all over, I began to think about my personal safety at home. What would have happened if I had really hurt myself and needed immediate medical attention? How long before someone would notice my absence and come to the rescue? I was struck by how vulnerable those of us who live alone can be -- and that's when I made some important decisions about my personal safety at home.
I did my homework and researched ways to safeguard myself. Below are some of the changes I made, along with some important tips for those who live on their own:
Staircases
- Consider carpet runners over hardwood floors. Carpet offers better traction, especially when you're in stocking feet. Believe me, I know!
- Make sure the lighting adequate, and add extra lighting, if necessary.
- Don't store items on the stairs. I've tried to break myself of this habit, not only for my own safety, but also for the safety of my dog.
Kitchen
- Keep knives sharp. Dull knives invite carelessness and over-exertion, which can result in a bad cut or worse.
- If you don't own a step stool, consider buying one. Take it from someone who practically broke her neck, using a bucket turned upside down for a step stool!
- Apply double-faced adhesive carpet tape or rubber matting to the back of small area rugs, or purchase one with a slip-resistant backing.
- Store flammable items (pot holders, towels, plastic utensils, etc.) away from stove burners. I've learned my lesson, having set my favorite dishtowel on fire.
Living Room
- Remove or replace tripping hazards, such as throw rugs with curled edges.
- Make sure lamp, extension and telephone cords are securely tacked down and ideally tucked into the crevice where the floor meets the wall. When I renovated my living room, I had outlets installed in strategic places on the floor, where I knew side tables and lamps would be located. This helped me avoid the use of extension cords. Something to consider, if you are remodeling.
- Repair frayed or cracked cords, and keep from overloading your outlets with multiple plug extenders. I'm guilty of overloading my outlets, and need to invest in safer power strips. They come in all shapes and sizes these days.
Bedroom, Upstairs Hallways and Bathrooms
- Use night-lights. Mine are on timers. My way is lighted when I head upstairs for the evening, and during the night, if I have to get up. In the morning, they come on before the sun rises, which has another benefit - they serve as a back-up "alarm clock."
- Don't smoke in bed. Ever.
- Avoid tucking in electric blankets or putting additional covers on top of them. This can cause excessive heat build-up and start a fire.
Bathrooms
- A soapy bathtub or shower can be especially slippery. Apply textured strips or appliqués to your tub or shower floor or use a non-skid mat.
- And, at the risk of sounding like a real fuddy-duddy, I also recommend grab bars in areas where you would like some extra support.
Throughout Your Home
- Install smoke detectors on every floor. Change batteries every year.
- Keep fire extinguishers in easy-to-reach locations, and familiarize yourself with their use. Home extinguishers are designed for small fires, so call 911 in a real fire emergency.
- Use the recommended light bulb wattage in lamps and fixtures. Using light bulbs with too-high wattage can lead to overheating and fire. If you don't know what's recommended, use 60-watt bulbs.
- Keep an operating flashlight handy. I have several in key areas of my home. They've been lifesavers during power outages.
- And, finally, keep a phone in easy reach, and consider purchasing a cell phone, if you don't own one. Short of wearing one of those medical alert buttons around your neck, a cell phone is your next best friend when you need help.
I'm pleased to report that my elbow has since returned to its former splendor and that I'm looking forward to my next birthday . . . minus any mishaps at home. My chances are better than ever, now that I've made some changes around the house to keep myself from getting hurt. Take my advice: Do the same, and enjoy your birthday and every day with more confidence and fewer goose eggs.