June is National Safety Month. It’s a yearly reminder to look for simple ways to prevent injuries at work, on the road, and at home. If you are arranging in‑home care for an aging parent, this is a good time to review safety steps you can take now. The National Safety Council (NSC) has run this campaign since 1996 and offers free resources you can use. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) also shares practical guidance on common hazards like falls and heat.
Below are easy, practical safety areas to check this month. Use them as a quick safety plan for your parent’s home and for caregivers who visit.
What National Safety Month focuses on
Each June, NSC highlights safety topics and shares tools such as posters, fact sheets, and short safety talks. Recent weekly themes include moving safety forward, staying safe on the roads, supporting worker health, and preventing slips, trips, and falls. NIOSH coordinates with NSC and offers science‑based resources on emergency preparedness, fall prevention, heat safety, and hazard recognition. Many of these materials are free and updated each year.
Make an emergency plan and kit
Emergencies can happen at any time. Have a clear plan for what to do if there is a fire, severe weather, a power outage, or a medical emergency.
- Keep an up‑to‑date list of medications, allergies, and medical conditions in a visible spot.
- Assemble a small emergency kit: flashlight, batteries, first‑aid supplies, copies of important documents, and a charged phone or backup battery.
- Make a list of emergency contacts. Include neighbors, primary care doctor, pharmacy, and your home‑care agency.
- Know where the nearest AED and first‑aid supplies are. NSC highlights CPR and AED awareness during National Safety Month. Consider taking a brief CPR course or ensuring a caregiver has training.
- Download a trusted first‑aid app (NSC and other organizations offer apps) and keep it on the phones of family and caregivers.
Prevent slips, trips, and falls in the home
Falls are a major cause of injury for older adults. Both NSC and NIOSH emphasize fall prevention as a top safety priority.
- Walk every room and remove trip hazards. Coil or hide small cords. Move clutter and clear pathways.
- Secure rugs with non‑skid pads or remove them.
- Add grab bars in the bathroom near the toilet and in the shower. Install a sturdy shower seat if needed.
- Improve lighting. Use nightlights in bedrooms, halls, and bathrooms. Replace dim bulbs with brighter, safer options.
- Check footwear. NIOSH research has shown that better slip‑resistant footwear can reduce fall injuries in workers. For older adults, non‑slip, well‑fitting shoes or slippers with good tread reduce risk.
- Consider a fall‑risk assessment by a physical therapist. Simple strength and balance exercises can lower fall risk.
Think about heat and comfort
Heat can be a health risk for older adults. NIOSH focuses on heat‑related illness for workers, and the same prevention ideas apply at home.
- Keep the home cool. Use air conditioning if possible. Fans help but do not replace A/C on very hot days.
- Encourage regular fluid intake. Older adults may not feel thirsty even when their bodies need water.
- Plan activities during the coolest parts of the day. Avoid long trips or chores during mid‑afternoon heat.
- Watch for signs of heat illness: confusion, dizziness, very hot or flushed skin, or fainting. If you see these, move the person to a cooler place and seek medical help.
Road safety when driving or riding
If you or a caregiver will be driving your parent, take road safety into account.
- Check whether your parent should be driving. Discuss changes in vision, reaction time, medication side effects, or memory with their doctor.
- Avoid rushing. Give extra time for appointments and errands.
- Minimize distractions in the car. Turn off phone alerts or use “do not disturb” while driving.
- If your parent rides with a caregiver, confirm that the caregiver follows safe‑driving practices and uses seat belts and appropriate car restraints.
Train and prepare caregivers
Well‑trained caregivers are safer caregivers. NSC offers training programs and resources that can help workplaces and individuals prepare.
- Ask your home‑care agency about caregiver training in first aid, CPR, transferring and lifting safely, and emergency procedures.
- Practice routine tasks together so your parent and caregivers know the safest ways to move, sit, or stand.
- Keep a short “care plan” that lists medical needs, daily routines, mobility limits, and how to handle common tasks like bathing and dressing.
Small changes that make a big difference
You do not need major renovations to improve safety. Small upgrades can lower risk and make daily life easier.
- Install grab bars and handrails where needed.
- Use nightlights and brighter bulbs.
- Keep floors dry and wipe up spills right away.
- Label cabinets if memory is a concern.
- Store frequently used items within easy reach to avoid climbing.
Use free resources
Take advantage of free tools from NSC and NIOSH. They provide fact sheets, checklists, and short videos that you can share with family and caregivers. NSC’s materials often include printable posters and five‑minute safety talks you can use during caregiver meetings. NIOSH offers apps and guides on heat safety, falls, and workplace hazard recognition that are useful at home too.
A quick safety checklist for this June
- Emergency contact list and current med list posted and shared.
- Working smoke detectors and at least one fire extinguisher.
- First‑aid kit and first‑aid app on caregiver phones.
- Clear walking paths and secure rugs.
- Grab bars and non‑slip mats in bathroom.
- Good lighting and nightlights installed.
- Shoes with good grip available.
- Plan for hot days: A/C, hydration, and cool resting times.
- Driver review: medical check with doctor if needed.
- Caregivers trained or scheduled for basic first aid/CPR.
National Safety Month is a good reminder to take a few practical steps now. Small changes can prevent big problems. Start with one or two tasks this week. Then build a safer home for your parent over the month. If you need more help, local home‑care agencies or occupational therapists can do a home safety visit and make specific recommendations.
