Moving Around Inside

Getting from room to room safely helps you stay steady and independent. A few small changes can reduce the risk of trips, slips or losing your balance.

This section offers practical tips to help you stay steady and confident as you move around your home.

Clear Walkways and Clutter-Free Floors

• Keep pathways clear: Remove shoes, bags, boxes or anything left on the floor that could be tripped over.
• Tidy as you go: Try to avoid leaving items on stairs, in doorways, or along routes you use often.
• Use storage: Baskets, shelves or small trolleys can help keep essentials within reach but out of the way.
• Consider grabbers or reachers: These can help reduce bending or overreaching when picking things up.

Safe Flooring and Carpets

• Check for loose mats or rugs: These are a common cause of falls. Use non-slip backing or remove them altogether.
• Look for curled edges: Tape down any worn carpet or flooring that lifts at the edges.
• Choose non-slip surfaces: If you’re thinking of replacing flooring, look for materials that provide grip underfoot.

Steps and Stairs

• Use a handrail: Always hold onto a secure handrail when using stairs. Consider adding a second rail if needed.
• Improve visibility: Make sure stairs and landings are well-lit. Use two-way switches so lights can be controlled at both ends.
• Mark edges: Use contrasting tape or stair edging to highlight step edges, especially if your vision is changing.
• Don’t rush: Always take your time, especially if carrying items. Never carry too much at once.

Lighting and Visibility

• Brighten up: Use good overhead lighting and plug-in night lights in hallways and bedrooms.
• Use motion sensors: Automatic lights are helpful if you get up in the night or return home after dark.
• Match lighting levels: Sudden changes from bright to dim lighting can affect vision and balance. Keep lighting consistent across spaces.

Furniture and Layout

• Create clear routes: Rearrange furniture if needed (remove) to avoid tight spaces or awkward corners. If possible, reduce the number of changes of direction you have to make on regular routes.
  
• Avoid unstable furniture: Don’t use lightweight chairs, tables or radiators for support — they may tip over.
• Keep things close: Store frequently used items at waist height to avoid too much bending or stretching.

Other Tips

• Wear well-fitting footwear indoors: Avoid loose slippers or socks on slippery floors.
• Use mobility aids correctly: If you've been given a stick or frame, make sure it's the right height and used as advised.
• Stay active: Regular movement, even gentle exercises, can help maintain your balance and confidence around the home.

Calling for Assistance

If you ever fall or need help, it’s important to have a simple way to call for assistance - especially if you live alone. Keeping a mobile phone close by or having a landline phone within reach can make a big difference. You might also want to think about using a personal alarm, such as a pendant or wrist-worn device, so you can get help quickly if you can’t get to a phone.

If you're unsure what's right for you, local social care services or home adaptation teams can help you find safe, reliable options.

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Find local help and support

If you need advice, practical help, equipment, home support, care services or local activities and exercise classes, visit Help and Contacts to find services and support available in your area.

Find local support

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Useful Local Links

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Age UK Milton Keynes
Community Alarm Service, Milton Keynes City Council
Handy Person Service from Age UK MK- handyperson@ageukmiltonkeynes.org.uk / 01908 550700
Medequip - blmk@medequip-uk.com / 03330 917763

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Milton Keynes Falls Service - Staying Steady

Staying Steady Milton Keynes offers specialist support to individuals, mainly aged over 65 years, who have fallen or are at risk of falling. We work with an individual and their carer to make decisions about the best way to reduce the risk of the person falling, raise awareness of risk factors for falling and make any necessary changes to their home to prevent falls.

The service is provided to any person (primarily those aged over 65 years of age) registered with a Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group general practitioner (GP) who has fallen or is at risk of falling.

Tel: 01908725622 
Email: fallsprevention.service@nhs.net
Website: Visit website 

Download Referral Form

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Further information and resources

You may also find the following organisations and resources useful for more information, advice and support related to this topic.

Home adaptations, care services and equipment - NHS
Identifying hazards at home - NHSInform
Make your Home safer - Age UK
Home safety and security - Age UK
Preventing falls in your home: a room-by-room guide - RoSPA (video)
Avoiding falls within your home - RoSPA
Preventing falls in your home: a guide to safety aids - RoSPA (video)
Preventing falls checklist - RoSPA

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