How to prevent falls in your Naperville home

Tripping on a power cord or sliding on an unsecured rug may seem harmless to many, but these mishaps can be devastating for seniors. Truth be told, falls are the leading cause of injury for adults over 65. If you’re a senior or a relative watching over an elderly parent, find tips on how to prevent falls in your Naperville home, and see how the latest smart homes can help.

Simple tips to prevent falls

Basic precautions will go a long way to keeping you or your loved one safe. Even so, you also have to take a big-picture approach and consider any health conditions that may make falls more likely.

• Assess your home for hazards. Keep boxes, papers, clothing, and other random items off your floor. Anchor rugs. Ensure walking areas are free of electrical cords.
  
  
• Install safety features. Standard home improvements like grab bars in bathrooms and handrails next to stairs can significantly improve safety. If you have steps, consider supplementing your railings with slip-resistant treads.
  
  
• Choose the right footwear. Unsupportive slippers, flip-flops, heels, and worn-out shoes with slippery soles elevate the risk of falling. Find shoes that fit with solid support and non-slip soles.

Consult with your doctor

Aside from the simple precautions like keeping your floors clear, you need to consider your health and get advice from a medical professional. Several medical conditions and medications can heighten your fall risk. Keep your routine checkups and vision checks, and make sure you know the possible side effects of any new medications.

Remaining active is also essential to maintain your strength, balance, and flexibility. Keep to a regular exercise routine approved by your doctor. While exercise is essential, you can also reduce extra movements and make your life more convenient with a smart home.

Enhance convenience and safety with a smart home

Getting up and down repeatedly to turn on the lights, lock your door, or reset your thermostat can be avoided. A smart home is able to help! Here’s what you can do:

• Remote access: Top smart homes can be controlled by cell phone apps. You can adjust thermostat and light levels, lock your doors, and even arm your security system from any location. 

• Voice commands: You don’t even need a smartphone to control your devices! Sync your home’s security to a smart speaker like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, then just say a directive to control tools like lights and locks.

• Home automation. Want to make life even more effortless? You can program custom automation actions and allow your components to operate on their own. Set a full scene at day’s end and have your system arm, thermostat adjust, door secure, and lights lower automatically.

In the rare event that you fall, a medical pendant that links to your smart home monitoring agents can be a lifesaver. A quick press of a button can request support immediately during times when every moment counts.

Live safer and smarter in your Naperville home with Vivint

Reduce the chances of falling and increase your safety with a Vivint alarm system in Naperville. Smart home capabilities like custom automation and voice control are perfect for seniors and others with mobility issues. Add a medical pendant to your smart home and get immediate access to monitoring professionals whenever you need it. Call (630) 864-6179 to build your system today.