Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls When You Live Alone

Slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of home injury for all ages. When you live alone, even a minor fall can become a major problem if you cannot get up or reach your phone.

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Unintentional falls are the third leading cause of non-fatal injuries across all age groups in the United States, accounting for over 8 million emergency room visits annually. For adults over 65, falls are the number one cause of injury death.

The Challenge

Clutter, loose rugs, wet floors, and poor lighting create fall hazards that accumulate without a second person to notice or address them

After a fall while living alone, the inability to get up or reach a phone can turn a minor injury into a life-threatening situation through prolonged time on the floor

Certain everyday activities -- getting out of the shower, descending stairs, reaching for high shelves -- carry fall risk that is magnified by the absence of someone to steady you

A history of one fall significantly increases the likelihood of subsequent falls, creating a cycle of declining mobility and increasing risk that is harder to break without support

How I'm Alive Helps

Daily I'm Alive check-ins drastically reduce the time you spend on the floor after a fall -- a missed check-in triggers your contacts to act that same day

The app transforms what could be a multi-day ordeal into a same-day rescue by ensuring someone always knows within hours if you have not confirmed you are okay

Combined with fall prevention measures, daily check-ins create a complete system that reduces fall frequency and response time simultaneously

Identifying and Eliminating Fall Hazards

Walk through every room of your home with fresh eyes, looking specifically for fall hazards. In living areas, secure or remove loose rugs -- they are one of the top causes of home falls. Tape down the edges of any rug you keep with double-sided carpet tape or use rugs with non-slip backing. Eliminate floor clutter: magazines, shoes, bags, and cords should be stored off the floor. Ensure all pathways between rooms are wide enough to walk through comfortably without brushing against furniture. Lighting is a critical fall prevention tool. Every room, hallway, and staircase should be well lit. Install nightlights in bathrooms, bedrooms, and hallways for nighttime navigation. Replace burned-out bulbs immediately -- do not wait until you buy them on your next shopping trip. Consider motion-activated lights in areas where you need to walk before reaching a light switch. Address floor surfaces throughout your home. Wet bathroom and kitchen floors are high-risk surfaces. Use non-slip mats in the shower and kitchen. Clean spills immediately rather than stepping around them. Polished hardwood and tile floors can be slippery with socks -- wear shoes or slippers with non-slip soles indoors. If you have pets, be vigilant about water bowls, toys, and the animals themselves in your walking path.

Safe Habits and Recovery After a Fall

Build anti-fall habits into your daily routine. Always use handrails on stairs. Avoid climbing on chairs, tables, or makeshift step stools -- use a proper step stool with a handle grip. When reaching for items, keep your weight centred over your feet rather than leaning and stretching. Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions to prevent dizziness from blood pressure changes, especially if you take blood pressure medication. Choose appropriate footwear for inside and outside your home. Avoid walking in socks, stockings, or bare feet on smooth floors. Wear shoes or slippers with non-slip rubber soles and good support. Outside, choose shoes appropriate for the conditions -- non-slip soles in rain, boots with traction in snow and ice. Avoid shoes with high heels, smooth soles, or loose fit that could catch on uneven surfaces. If you fall and can get up safely, do so slowly. Roll onto your side, push up to a kneeling position, and use a sturdy piece of furniture to pull yourself to standing. Rest before walking. Assess your injuries and seek medical attention for any head impact, persistent pain, swelling, or difficulty bearing weight. Report the fall to your doctor -- even minor falls are medically relevant because they predict future falls. If you fall and cannot get up, stay calm. Do not struggle violently, which can worsen injuries. Try to slide toward a phone or a piece of furniture you can use for leverage. If you cannot reach a phone or get up, make noise to attract attention from neighbours. Your daily I'm Alive check-in is your most reliable safety net -- when you do not check in the next morning, your contacts know something is wrong and can send help directly to your home.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common causes of falls at home?

Loose rugs, wet floors, poor lighting, floor clutter, pets underfoot, reaching for high objects, uneven surfaces, and inappropriate footwear are the top causes. For older adults, medication side effects, balance problems, and muscle weakness add physiological risk factors to environmental hazards.

How do I make my home fall-proof when living alone?

Secure or remove loose rugs, improve lighting throughout the home especially at night, clear all floor clutter, install grab bars in the bathroom, use non-slip mats in wet areas, keep frequently used items at accessible heights, wear non-slip footwear indoors, and use handrails on all stairs. Do a full home walkthrough twice a year looking specifically for new hazards.

What should I do if I fall and cannot get up?

Stay calm and avoid struggling. Try to slide toward a phone or furniture. If you can reach a phone, call emergency services. If not, make noise to attract neighbours. Try to stay warm by pulling a blanket or coat over you if possible. Your daily I'm Alive check-in ensures that even if you cannot call for help, your contacts will be alerted when you miss your next scheduled check-in.

How does I'm Alive reduce the danger of falling when living alone?

The biggest danger after a fall when living alone is not the fall itself but the long lie -- extended time on the floor before help arrives. A daily check-in through I'm Alive ensures you are never more than about 24 hours from discovery. If you fall and cannot get up or reach your phone, the missed check-in triggers your contacts to send help, transforming what could be days of waiting into same-day rescue.