How do I avoid falling?

The risk of accidents is much greater at home than on the road. Many more people die in accidents within their own four walls than on the road. However, you can take precautions yourself at home to prevent accidents. You can make your home trip- and fall-free in good time. Or you can use walking aids and develop an awareness of how vulnerable you are to falling. Many older people are no longer as mobile as they used to be due to broken bones or other serious injuries. After all, every 6th fall results in a serious injury. However, a quarter of all falls can be prevented by taking the right precautions. There are many questions you can ask yourself to find out whether you are at risk of falling.

Are you at risk of falling?

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Has your body changed in any way so that you hear, see or feel worse?
  • Do you find it difficult to keep your balance?
  • Can you stand stably on your closed legs for 30 seconds? Can you perform the same exercise with your eyes closed?
  • Can you get up from a chair without supporting yourself and repeat this a few times?
  • Can you walk a few meters in a line by always placing your heel in front of the toes of your other foot?
  • Can you cross a pedestrian light in a green phase without any problems?
  • Has your walking speed changed noticeably? Do you walk slower than before?
  • Do you now take the bus or other forms of transportation more often instead of walking?
  • Do you occasionally have to stop yourself by furniture when you walk through your home? Does it make you dizzy or do you simply feel unsteady on your feet?

If the answers to the questions show that you are no longer so good on your feet: Talk to your doctor. You can also contact other knowledgeable people with a healthcare profession, for example a nurse.

Tips

You can often prevent falls by paying attention to a few things:

  • If you rest, you rust. Do something for your body to keep your muscles and joints healthy. If you do regular exercise or sport in the form of endurance and strength training as well as balance exercises, you will also feel more confident on your feet.
  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Make sure you maintain a healthy body weight. Your joints and bones also need calcium, protein and plenty of vitamins. Get out into the fresh air - especially in spring and summer you can fill up on vitamin D from the sun.
  • Drink a lot. This is good for your circulation.
  • Are you taking different medications together? This could lead to side effects such as dizziness. This in turn increases the risk of you falling. Discuss your medication with your doctor.
  • The right shoes prevent many falls. They should be stable, firm and, above all, flat. Take care of your feet regularly. Movement is easier without pain and the risk of falling is reduced.
  • A quarter of all falls in older people can be prevented by taking simple precautions in the home:
    • Remove all carpets that are not attached to the floor.
    • Make sure that the floor is non-slip, especially in the kitchen or bathroom.
    • All rooms should be brightly lit. Motion detectors are useful here so that you can always see enough and in good time.
    • Make sure that high steps always have railings and that the doors are not too heavy. Trip hazards such as small steps, carpets or cables in the living area must be removed.

Note: If you receive care allowance, you can also take advantage of a free home visit by a health and nursing professional on request. During this home visit, the nurse can identify a possible risk of falling. Something can then be done about it, such as removing tripping hazards. 

You can find more information about home visits on request here:

Home visits by healthcare and nursing staff

Last update: August 7, 2025