Safety tips for seniors living alone

Nearly 30 percent of seniors live alone. Home safety is very important to us, and even more important during the short, dark days of winter. Here are a few hints to stay safe.

• Invest in a few of those small “tap” lights — the kind you touch on top to turn on — and put them along your path to various rooms, especially if you have to cross a room in the dark before reaching a lamp.

• Turn on a light when you reach for your weekly pill container to be sure you don’t grab the wrong day’s pills.

• Use a ladder and stepstool only if someone else is around. Keep things you need on lower shelves.

• Guard against slipping. Beware of scatter rugs that slide easily on hard floors. If your shoes are worn enough that they’re slick on wood or vinyl flooring, it’s time to replace them.

• Keep your door locked when you’re home alone, even if you live in a safe neighborhood.

• If you’re on social media, be careful what you reveal online. Never say that you live alone.

• Be aware in the kitchen. Be sure the stove and other appliances are off when you’re finished with them. Mop up spills. Have a fire extinguisher and know how to use it.

• One of the best ways to stay safe is to stay in touch with others. If it’s available, sign up for daily caller service, likely through your senior center. Or make a deal with a neighbor that you’ll check in with each other every morning by phone. Sign up for Meals on Wheels or attend meals at a local senior center.

For more hints, go online and search for “seniors living alone safety.”

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to [email protected]