Hi everyone, it's Robin from Senior Safety Advice.
I'm really glad you're joining me today because
we're talking about something that seems simple
but can make a huge difference in your safety
at home, and that is lighting, or more specifically,
how to light your home without creating new trip
hazards. You know, most people think falls happen
because of a loose rug or a slippery floor, and
yes, those things matter. But poor lighting is
right up there as a top reason that older adults
fall at home. Can't tell you how many times I've
walked into someone's house and the living room
looks like a romantic dinner scene at 10 a .m.,
meaning there's soft lighting and cozy shadows
and absolutely perfect conditions for stubbing
a toe or missing a step. Don't worry if this
sounds familiar. We've all gotten used to the
lighting we have, even when it isn't working
for us anymore. What I want to do today is help
you see your home the way a safety specialist
would, and show you a few very easy changes that
can lower your risk of falling without turning
your house into an airport runway. So let's start
with this. Good lighting is not about making
everything bright. It's about making everything
visible. There's a big difference. And the goal
is to help your eyes move from room to room without
strain, without glare, and without tricky shadows.
So let's walk through the first, or excuse me,
the main ideas together. First, we're going to
talk about the biggest troublemakers, which are
dark hallways and shadowy corners. These areas
are classic fall zones. When your brain can't
quite see what's ahead, your feet get a little
unsure. So one of the easiest fixes is to add
soft, even lighting along those pathways. Battery
powered LED wall lights or motion sensor night
lights are great for this. They don't need cords,
they don't take up space, and they give you just
enough light to help you feel confident moving
around. Talking about cords for a minute, I think
we all know that lamp cords have a mind of their
own. They never seem to stay put. They slither
out from behind tables and somehow end up right
where your foot wants to go. If you rely on floor
lamps for lighting, but those lamps have cords
stretching across your walking paths, that's
a trip hazard. There's no way around it. So here
is the simple shift. Either move the lamp so
the cord stays against the wall, or switch to
lamps that plug in right where they stand. If
you absolutely need a cord to cross a walkway,
use a cord cover that lies completely flat. Or
better yet, replace that lamp with a well -mounted
or overhead light so nothing touches the floor.
Next, I want to talk about something that people
often overlook, and that is light placement.
Your lighting should help you see the floor,
not just light up the room. That's why placing
lights too high or too low can cause problems.
Having overhead lights is a great thing, but
if the bulbs are too bright or the shade sends
all the light upward, you're left with shadows
on the ground, and shadows hide clutter, steps,
and uneven flooring. One of the best things you
can do is to walk through your home at night
and look down at the floor as you move. Can you
see the edges of the furniture, the throw rug,
the threshold between your rooms? If the answer
is no, don't blame your eyes, blame your lighting.
Let's talk about light time, night time, I'm
sorry, lighting next, because this is where many
falls happen. When you get up in the middle of
the night, maybe to use the bathroom, grab a
glass of water, or check on a noise, your vision
is not at full power. It takes your eyes a moment
to adjust, and that moment is when people tend
to catch their toe on a piece of furniture or
misjudge a step or a threshold. Motion sensor
night lights are amazing here. You can place
them low along the wall, near the bathroom, or
on the path from your bedroom to the kitchen.
They light up automatically, and again, no cords.
Speaking of the bathroom, bright lighting in
this space can be a real game changer. A dim
bathroom is especially risky because it's a place
with slick surfaces and tight spaces. Add a soft
overhead light and a small night light near the
sink or toilet. And be careful with lighted mirrors.
Some are great, but some are too bright and can
cause glare that makes it harder to see your
footing. Another thing people forget about is
their entryway. The front door, back door, and
garage entry all need even lighting with no shadows.
When you carry bags, groceries, or your purse,
you don't have a hand free for balance, so make
sure these spaces are well lit and that no cords,
lanterns, or decorative lights are sitting on
the floor. If you use seasonal lights, keep them
at waist height or higher. One last point before
I wrap up. I want you to think about lighting
as part of your safety plan, not just part of
home decor. The right lighting helps your brain
process your surroundings faster. That means
fewer stumbles, less hesitation, and more confidence
moving around your home. And confidence matters.
It keeps you active, independent, and sure -footed.
So here's my quick checklist for you as we are
finishing. Look for spots in your home hallways,
corners, and stairways. Check for lamp cords
or extension cords that cross walkways. Add motion
sensor night lights where you walk at night.
Make sure you can see the floor clearly in every
room. And choose lights that brighten the space
evenly without glare. Small changes add up. The
beautiful part? Most of these adjustments take
less than 10 minutes. All right, that's it for
today's episode. If you found this helpful, please
share it with a friend or family member who might
need a little lighting refresh too. I'll see
you soon in another episode for another simple
tip that can make a big difference in your life.
Until then, take care. Bye!