Top 5 Fall Hazards in Ontario Homes — and How to Fix Them
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations for seniors in Ontario.
What many families don’t realize is that most of these falls don’t happen outside or in unfamiliar places — they happen inside the home, in spaces that feel routine, comfortable, and safe.
The encouraging reality is that the majority of fall hazards are predictable, preventable, and fixable — often without compromising the comfort, appearance, or character of the home.
As professionals who specialize in aging-in-place and senior home modifications across the GTA, we see the same risks appear repeatedly in homes that were never designed to adapt as their owners age. These hazards are rarely obvious until a fall occurs. Our role is to identify them early and design solutions that quietly support long-term independence.
Below are the five most common fall hazards found in Ontario homes, along with practical, design-conscious ways to address them properly.
Considering long-term safety at home?
A professional home safety review can help clarify where real risks exist and which improvements actually matter.
1. Slippery Bathrooms and Poorly Designed Showers
Bathrooms are consistently the highest-risk room in the home. Water, smooth surfaces, tight clearances, and poor lighting combine to create dangerous conditions — especially as balance and mobility change.
Common bathroom risks we see include:
Smooth or glossy tile with little slip resistance
Bathtubs that require stepping over a high edge
Grab bars added without proper wall reinforcement
Inadequate lighting for nighttime use
Safer, long-term solutions may include:
Barrier-free or low-threshold showers
Slip-resistant flooring designed for wet environments
Properly reinforced walls for secure grab bar placement
Layered lighting that reduces glare and shadows
When designed correctly, these upgrades don’t look like accessibility features. They simply feel like well-planned bathrooms that are safer to use every day.
👉 Request a Professional Home Safety Review to understand whether your bathroom still supports safe, independent use.
2. Poor Lighting and Deep Shadows
As vision changes with age, lighting that once felt adequate can quietly become a risk. Dim hallways, poorly lit staircases, and shadowed transitions between rooms are a frequent cause of falls.
Common lighting issues include:
Single overhead fixtures that cast deep shadows
Inconsistent brightness between rooms
Burnt-out bulbs that go unnoticed
Light switches placed too far from entrances
Effective lighting improvements often involve:
Brighter, evenly distributed LED lighting
Motion-activated night lighting in key pathways
Stair and hallway lighting that improves depth perception
Easy-to-use rocker switches or discreet smart controls
Lighting upgrades are among the simplest and most impactful safety improvements, and they significantly improve comfort and confidence throughout the home.
3. Loose Rugs, Thresholds, and Uneven Flooring
Some of the most dangerous fall hazards are the least noticeable. Area rugs, raised thresholds, and subtle changes in floor height often blend into the home and go unchallenged for years.
Typical issues include:
Area rugs without secure backing
Raised transitions between rooms
Worn or uneven flooring edges
Flooring materials that become slippery over time
More stable alternatives may include:
Securing or selectively removing rugs
Creating flush transitions between rooms
Installing continuous flooring such as luxury vinyl plank with built-in traction
Levelling surfaces to support walkers or mobility aids
For homeowners who value both aesthetics and safety, there are premium flooring solutions that deliver durability, elegance, and stability without compromise.
4. Stairs Without Proper Handrails or Visual Cues
Stairs leave little room for error. A single misstep can result in serious injury, particularly in older homes built before modern safety standards.
Common stair-related hazards include:
Handrails installed on only one side — or none at all
Decorative rails that are difficult to grip
Poor contrast between stair treads
Inadequate lighting at the top or bottom of stairs
Depending on the home, safer options may include:
Ergonomic handrails on both sides
Proper grip diameters for aging hands
Improved stair lighting and visual contrast
Evaluating whether a stairlift or other mobility solution is appropriate
Not every staircase requires major changes — but every staircase benefits from a professional evaluation.
5. Cluttered Pathways and Poor Furniture Layout
Fall risk isn’t always structural. Often, it’s about space.
Tight walkways, poorly placed furniture, exposed cords, and unstable décor quietly increase the chance of a fall over time.
We commonly help improve:
Clear walking paths with adequate spacing
Furniture layouts that support natural movement
Cord management and safer outlet placement
Removal of low or unstable obstacles
For adult children helping parents remain independent, these conversations can feel sensitive. The goal isn’t to take control — it’s to reduce unnecessary risk while preserving familiarity and dignity.
Why a Professional Home Safety Review Matters
Homes evolve. So do balance, strength, and vision.
A home that felt safe five or ten years ago may no longer provide the same level of support today. That’s why periodic home safety reviews are an important part of aging-in-place planning.
A professional review typically considers:
Bathrooms
Stairs
Lighting
Flooring
Entryways
Future mobility needs
Our approach is practical, respectful, and pressure-free. We help homeowners and families understand where risks exist, what options are available, and how to plan improvements thoughtfully — whether changes are needed now or later.
Take the Next Step Toward Safer Living at Home
Aging in place isn’t about giving things up.
It’s about designing a home that continues to support independence, comfort, and peace of mind.
If you or a loved one plan to remain at home long-term, the smartest first step is gaining clarity — before a fall forces decisions.
👉 Request a Professional Home Safety Review
A thoughtful, no-obligation evaluation of your home’s most common fall risks.
Serving Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, and Hamilton.
We work with homeowners who want safety handled properly — once — without compromising the character or comfort of their home.
