Winter-Proof Your Home: A Fall Prevention and Safety Checklist for Virginia Seniors

Heating and Carbon Monoxide Safety

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and can come from a faulty furnace, water heater, or space heater, so this is the most important item on the list. Have gas- and oil-burning furnaces inspected every year by a professional before the heating season. Install battery-operated or battery-backup carbon monoxide detectors near every sleeping area and on every level of the home, and test them monthly.

• Never run a generator, car, grill, or camp stove inside a home, garage, basement, or other enclosed space. Keep portable generators at least 20 feet from the house.
• Clear snow and ice away from the outside vents of fuel-burning appliances so dangerous carbon monoxide cannot build up indoors.
• If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave the home immediately and call 911, and seek medical help right away if you feel dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated.

Smoke and Fire Safety

Working smoke alarms belong on every level of the home and inside each bedroom. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly, replace the batteries when you change the clocks, and follow the manufacturer's guidance on replacing the units themselves. In the kitchen, keep a fire extinguisher within reach and never leave cooking unattended.

Preventing Falls on Ice and Snow

Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults, and icy winter walkways raise the risk sharply. Keep walkways, driveways, stairs, and steps cleared of snow and ice, and apply sand or salt for traction. Make sure handrails are in place on both sides of outdoor stairs, and actually use them. Wear non-slip footwear with good tread when you go outside, and avoid carrying heavy loads that make it harder to keep your balance.

Fall-Proofing Inside the Home

Winter clothes, boots, and holiday decorations can make clutter worse, and clutter raises fall risk indoors. Remove loose rugs, cords, and clutter from walkways. Make sure rooms, hallways, and stairways are well lit, with lights at both the top and bottom of the stairs, and install grab bars in the bathroom near the toilet and in the shower. If balance is a concern, a cane or walker used consistently is far safer than gripping furniture as you move.

Staying Warm and Safe for Your Health

Set the thermostat to a temperature that is adequate for your health and activity level, not just for fuel savings, because older adults are more vulnerable to hypothermia. Dress in layers indoors and out, and check on older neighbors, friends, and family members frequently during cold spells and snow events. If you take medications that cause dizziness or affect balance, talk with your doctor about how winter conditions and falls factor into your routine.

A Home That Keeps You Safe, Season After Season

For many Virginia seniors, winter is the season that reveals how well a home is set up for aging in place. Single-level layouts, wide doorways, walk-in showers, and low-maintenance exteriors that need no ladder work are all features that make the colder months easier and safer. If your current home is starting to feel like more upkeep and risk than it is worth, that is a common, and very understandable, reason to consider a change.