Elizabeth Meyer | Sep 1, 2015
Summer is quickly approaching — and with the sunshine and rising temps comes annual spring cleaning.
For many of us, continuing to take care of a home is one of those things we enjoy doing as a sign of our independence. But the reality is that as we age, it might be time to give up doing certain activities on our own, while taking a closer look at items we may never have needed to think about before.
Small accidents have more dangerous consequences as we age, meaning safety has to take priority as you do work around the house. Here are a few cleaning safety tips that will keep you safe in your home both today and down the road.
1. Downsize and remove clutter
Clutter is a tripping hazard — not to mention it's dangerous in an emergency and can be bad for your mental health.
Gather friends and/or family members and downsize. By getting rid of unnecessary clutter and unused items, you’ll have less to clean and keep tidy. Have a garage sale, let your family pick out a few things they would like in their own homes, or donate items to charity. It’s OK to keep items that are important to you, but try to get rid of the extra items that require too much time or space to care for.
2. Make frequently-used items easy to access
While you're cleaning out cabinets and organizing storage areas, consider moving your most-used items within easy reach. After all, why go through the effort of pulling out a stepping stool when you could just as easily have that item right in front of you? When you can safely access the items you need, you’ll feel better about using them.
3. Consider hiring help for bigger tasks
Some jobs around the house and yard may just be too physically taxing to handle on your own. Consider hiring someone to help with jobs like cleaning gutters, washing outside windows, and any other work that requires a great deal of balance or strength. You can even ask a family member to help or hire a neighbor to assist you with more strenuous chores.
4. Keep your oven clean
Fire safety is especially important for everyone, but especially older adults. In fact, seniors comprise more than 25% of all fire deaths, and 30% of all house fire deaths, each year in the United States.
To reduce the risk of accidental fires, make sure your oven and stovetop are clean and grease-free. A simple way to ensure that your stove is always clean is to wipe it down every night before bed and schedule a regular cleaning of your oven. You can even hire a professional cleaner to tackle your oven and other hard-to-reach areas.
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. Remove tripping hazards
After cleaning your floors, consider donating your throw rugs and other tripping hazards you have around your house. This is also a good time to organize extension and lamp cords and keep them up and away from the floor. The fewer items you have on the floor, the easier it will be to get around safely in the years to come.
6. Wear protective gear
One of the most important safety tips you can follow is to don protective gear when you are cleaning. Use a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight, long-sleeved shirts to avoid sunburn while in the garden. If you are using chemicals to clean your home, wear rubber gloves to avoid contact with your skin.
Keeping your home tidy will simplify your life and help you feel good, allowing you to more leisurely enjoy your time and activities with family and friends. You can keep yourself safe by following a few simple tips. Preventing slips, falls, and the need to lift heavy objects will help keep you safe in your own home. When in doubt, call on a family member or friend to help tackle any potentially dangerous jobs.
Thinking about assisted living?
If the upkeep of your home is beginning to feel overwhelming or unmanageable, you might start thinking about moving to an assisted living community in the next few years. Now's the time to start thinking about the transition. Our free 10 Steps to a Smooth Transition to Assisted Living guide can help you start thinking about your transition. Download it for free today.
