Your safety—in the hospital and at home—is very important.

Your therapist will talk to you about your safety and activities at home. They may also visit your home to make sure it is safe and see if you need any special aids or equipment.

Your therapist may suggest changes to your home, such as ramps and lifts, to help you get around safely.

If you need help at home, talk to your family and friends. Many communities have support services such as home care and Meals on Wheels, but you may have to pay for these services.

Here are tips to make your home safe:

Getting around in your home

• Be careful getting in and out of a chair or bed.
• If you use a walker, keep it close to your bed or chair, especially when you get up after sleeping.
• If you use a walking aid, use a waist pouch, backpack, or walker bag to keep your hands free.
• Make sure your room and walking areas have lots of light.
• Keep areas free of clutter and loose rugs that you could trip on.
• Consider using a bedside urinal or commode at night so you don’t have to get up in the night.

Sitting

• Only sit on sturdy chairs. Do not use rockers, stools with wheels, swivel chairs, or chairs with soft or low seats.
• Make sure the brakes are on when you are sitting at rest in your wheelchair and when you’re not using it. Remember the wheelchair safety tips.

Communicating

• Do not rush to answer the phone or door. Tell your friends and family that you need to take your time.
• Carry a cellphone with you.
• If you do not have a cellphone, consider a medical alert device.

Using stairs

• Make sure stairs have secure railings on both sides.
• Practise doing stairs with your therapist to make sure you can go up and down safely. You may need to install a ramp or stair lift to improve home access.

Going out

• Walk at a steady pace.
• Avoid walking on wet or polished floors.
• If you use a walking aid in wet or icy weather, take shorter steps and walk slowly.
• Dry your shoe and the tips of your walking aid when you come in from outside.
• Use an ice pick on your walking aid or a clamp-on traction device for your shoe if it is icy outside.
• When transporting your wheelchair in a vehicle, it may be easier to put it behind the front seat instead of in the trunk.​