What are the biggest risks of accidents at home and how can I prevent them?
I feel like I'm constantly putting out fires at home: one minute it's a fall, the next the tap is left running, then medication is within anyone's reach. Is there a way to think about the whole house, and not just problem by problem?
When caring for someone with dementia, the house that was once just "home" now demands a new perspective, as if we were seeing it for the first time. There's no need to turn it into a clinical space – just identify the highest risk points, room by room, and correct them in a simple, lasting way.
Why it's worth thinking about the house as a whole
Domestic accidents in people with dementia rarely have a single cause: they combine loss of balance, difficulty recognising dangers, forgetting ongoing actions (like an open tap), and sometimes exploratory behaviours typical of more advanced stages. Looking at the house in an integrated way, rather than just reacting to each incident, prevents the same scare from happening in different rooms.
Main risks and how to prevent them
- Falls: loose rugs, slippery floors, and poor lighting are the most common causes. Remove rugs, install night lights and grab bars in the bathroom.
- Burns and fires: especially in the kitchen, associated with gas stoves and hot liquids. Consider gas detectors and, if possible, induction hobs.
- Poisoning: cleaning products or medications mistaken for food. Keep them locked away and out of reach and sight.
- Cuts: knives and sharp objects left within reach. Keep them stored, only taking out what's needed during supervision.
- Drowning or burns in the bath: water too hot or slippery bathtubs. Install non-slip mats and regulate the maximum water heater temperature.
- Electrocution: loose wires or faulty sockets. Organise cables and cover unused sockets.
"I did a 'safety round' of the whole house, room by room, like an inspector. I wrote down everything that worried me and solved one thing a week. It changed the way I live day-to-day, with far fewer scares."
What NOT to do
- Don't try to solve everything at once – prioritise the most serious risks (gas, stairs, medication) and progress gradually.
- Don't rely solely on constant supervision to compensate for avoidable risks – even attentive carers cannot prevent everything just by being present.
- Don't ignore "near misses" – they are the best warning that something in the environment needs to be corrected before something more serious happens.
When to seek professional help
If you feel you cannot assess the risks in the house alone, ask for a home visit from an occupational therapist or continuing care nurse, who can suggest specific adaptations for the stage of dementia and the person's mobility. In case of an accident with injury, poisoning, or severe burn, immediately contact 112 or the Poisons Information Centre (808 250 143).