How to prevent falls in your St. Petersburg home

Catching your foot on a power cord or losing your balance on an unanchored rug might seem minor to many, but they can be catastrophic for seniors. Truth be told, falls are the No. 1 cause of injury for adults over 65. If you’re a senior or a family member looking after a loved one, find tips on how to prevent falls in your St. Petersburg home, and see how modern smart home features can make a difference.

Check out tips for preventing falls

Straightforward precautions will help a great deal in keeping you or a family member safeguarded. However, you also need to broaden your scope and think about any health conditions that could make falls more of a concern.

• Look for hazards throughout your home. Keep clothing, papers, boxes, and other random items off the floor. Anchor rugs. Ensure hallways and common areas are free of power cords.
  
  
• Install safety features. Basic home improvements like support bars in bathrooms and handrails beside stairs can greatly improve safety. If you use steps, consider supplementing your handrails with slip-preventing treads.
  
  
• Choose sensible footwear. Flimsy slippers, heels, flip-flops, and worn-down shoes with smooth soles increase the risk of falls. Select shoes that fit well with good support and non-skid soles.

Speak with your doctor

In addition to the simple precautions like keeping objects off your floors, you need to think about your health and seek guidance from a healthcare professional. Some medical conditions and medicines can elevate your fall risk. Keep your regular checkups and vision exams, and make certain you understand the possible side effects of your medicines.

Staying active is also essential to maintain your strength, balance, and flexibility. Stay on a daily exercise plan approved by your medical provider. While exercise is crucial, you can also eliminate extra movements and make life easier with a smart home.

Enhance convenience and safety with a smart home

Repeatedly getting up and down to turn on the lights, lock your door, or adjust your thermostat is unnecessary and avoidable. A smart home will help! Here’s how:

• Mobile access: Leading smart homes can be operated by cell phone apps. You can turn lights on or off, adjust your thermostat, secure your door, and even arm your system without getting up. 

• Voice control: You don’t even have to use your phone! Sync your home’s security to a voice assistant, then just use your voice to control tools like locks and thermostats.

• Custom automation. Want to make life even simpler? You can set smart automation actions and let your equipment run independently. Set a comprehensive scene at the end of the day and have your lights dim, system arm, thermostat adjust, and doors lock automatically.

If the unthinkable happens and you fall, a medical alert that connects to your smart home monitoring specialists can be a lifesaver. A quick press of a button can get you help fast during times when every moment counts.

Stay safe in your St. Petersburg home with Vivint

Lower the chances of falling and increase your safety with a Vivint home security system in St. Petersburg. Smart home capabilities like custom automation and voice commands are a great fit for seniors and other people with mobility restrictions. Add a medical pendant to your smart home and get instant access to monitoring specialists whenever you need it. Dial (727) 353-8318 to build your system today.