If the older person does not have a plan to get in or out of the house in case of fire, develop one. Flashing smoke detectors are useful for hearing-impaired older adults. Sometimes older people make the mistake of equating the number of locks with the strength of their security from crime. Then they find themselves trapped behind door locks that are hard to open during an emergency. Emergency response alert systems should have an alternate source of power if the electricity is cut off, as should life support systems if they are needed.
Most serious accidents occur when descending, rather than ascending, steps.
The predominant cause of these mishaps is poor vision. For those with physical impairments, a seat at the top, bottom, and intermediate landing can be very useful. Replace worn carpeting before it can cause a fall. Where there are hard floors that cannot be carpeted, make sure that the surfaces are waxed regularly with nonskid wax. Light switches should be easily accessible and placed near every doorway.