Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death for adults 65 and older. Throw away these 3 common tripping hazards
Falls remain the leading cause of injury-related death for U.S. adults age 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In homes across the country, three everyday tripping hazards show up again and again and are among the easiest items to remove.
Throw out loose throw rugs
Loose rugs are a common fall risk because their edges can curl, slide, or bunch up underfoot. For adults 65 and older, that kind of sudden shift can quickly turn into a serious injury, especially in high-traffic rooms like the bedroom, hallway, or bathroom.
The National Institute on Aging has long advised older adults to remove throw rugs or secure them with non-slip backing. That guidance lines up with broader fall-prevention advice from federal health agencies, which focus on reducing hazards inside the home where many falls happen.
What this means in practical terms is simple: a small rug near a sink, bed, or front door may look harmless, but it adds an avoidable risk. If a rug cannot be firmly secured, removing it entirely cuts out one of the most common tripping points in a typical U.S. home.
Get rid of clutter on floors and stairs
Stacks of magazines, shoes by the door, electrical cords, and storage bins can all create obstacles at foot level. In a house or apartment with narrow walkways or stairs, even one misplaced item can be enough to cause a fall, particularly for someone using a cane or walker.
Federal fall-prevention guidance for older adults consistently points to clear walking paths as a basic safety step. Stairs deserve extra attention because clutter there shortens usable footing space and can interfere with handrail access, two problems that raise risk at the same time.
For residents, the takeaway is straightforward: floors, hallways, and stair landings should stay clear. Everyday items that tend to collect near entrances, recliners, and bedside areas are worth removing first, since those spots are used frequently and often in lower light.
Toss worn-out mats, cords, and unstable items
Aging bath mats, frayed floor mats, extension cords across a room, and small unstable footstools can all shift unexpectedly. These items are especially risky in bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms, where quick turns and wet surfaces can make balance harder to recover.
The CDC and other public health agencies have emphasized that many falls are preventable with home changes that reduce slipping and tripping. Items that slide, wobble, or force someone to step over them increase that danger, particularly for older adults managing weaker vision, balance changes, or medication side effects.
For households looking at what to remove first, unstable and damaged items are a practical starting point. Replacing a worn bath mat, removing a cord from a walkway, or discarding a shaky stool will not prevent every fall, but it matches long-standing public health advice aimed at lowering risk at home.
