Simple ways to make your home safer

They're our sanctuaries, but sometimes we can be a little too complacent when it comes to safety in our homes. According to a recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the majority of accidents happen in or around the home. Nearly four in ten injuries are due to falls. Women, especially elderly ones, are more likely to experience an injury than men.

Our homes can be fraught with risks -- after all, anything that can fall, break, tip over, cause a fire or cause us to trip or slip can be a danger. While you're in the midst of seasonal cleaning, here are some ways to eliminate hazards:

Keep clutter off the floors and stairs. Anything left on the floors or stairways can be a tripping hazard, so make sure to keep these areas clear of things like decorations, bags and shoes. Key areas -- like entrance ways and the pathway between the bedroom and bathroom -- should always be clear of obstacles.

Tame cords. Not only can we trip over them, but children can pull on them and accidentally cause items to topple over. Try to position items near outlets to avoid dangling cords, and keep cords clipped or tied out of the way. (But avoid sneaking cords under carpets because it's a fire hazard.)

While you're at it, check cords for any signs of wear and tear, and make sure outlets aren't overloaded.

Use stickers or decals on sliding doors. It may be funny in the commercials, but an adult, pet or child running into glass is no laughing matter. Having a decoration on the door as a warning can stop these harmful collisions.

Make sure there's plenty of light. We don't see very well in the dark, especially as we age. Good lighting -- including night lights -- is essential for high traffic areas like hallways and staircases. Switches should be in handy places like entrances to rooms and the top and bottom of stairways. Don't forget some emergency lighting too in case the power goes out.

The same applies for outdoors too -- bright is better around pathways, entrance ways and around your property in general. Flood lights and sensor lights can discourage crooks.

Trim the greenery. Why provide hiding places for criminals? Trim your shrubs and trees so that windows and doorways are visible to your neighbours. Try the 3-foot/7-foot rule: Shrubs shouldn't be more than three feet high, and tree branches shouldn't hang lower than seven feet.

Put in a peephole. If you have a solid door, install a peephole so you can see who comes knocking (and ask for I.D. if necessary.

Install hand rails on stair cases and steps. Experts advise that you should have at least one railing posted 36 to 39 inches high at every staircase and set of steps. Two rails -- one on each side -- are even better.

Install grab bars in the bathroom. Securely-anchored grab bars and handrails around the toilet and bathtub can provide some safety as you're getting up and in. Experts recommend installing two bars around the tub -- one each on the side and back walls.

Replace glass with plastic. Ceramic or glass accessories look lovely in the bathroom, but we're often in bare feet in this particular room. Try unbreakable materials for items like soap dispensers and toothbrush holders which could easily be knocked over.

Go non-slip. A bath mat with a rubber backing and non-slip rubber mats, strips or a non-slip finish in the tub can avoid that "slippery when wet" issue.