Home Safety Self Assessment Tool (HSSAT)

Question 1

Entrance to front door/yard potential hazards

Answer 1

• lack of railings/unstable railing
• unsafe steps (too steep/cracked)
• unmarked/raised threshold
• lack of lighting at night
• lack of ramp for wheelchair
• uneven/cracked pavement
• ice/snow on driveway/walkway
• lack of an outdoor grab bar

Question 2

Entrance to back/side door potential hazards

Answer 2

• lack of railings/unstable railing
• unsafe steps (too steep/cracked/chipped)
• unmarked/raised threshold
• lack of lighting at night
• lack of ramp for wheelchair
• uneven/cracked pavement
• ice/snow on walkway
• lack of an outdoor grab bar

Question 3

Hallway or foyer potential hazards

Answer 3

• uneven/slippery flooring
• cluttered area
• dark or poor lighting
• lack of access to ceiling light

Question 4

Living room potential hazards

Answer 4

• presence of throw or scatter rug
• presence of clutter
• presence of electric cords across the floor
• poor lighting
• presence of unstable furniture
• presence of unstable chair
• difficult to access light switches
• not enough space to move around

Question 5

Kitchen potential hazards

Answer 5

• cabinet too high or low
• not enough counter space
• using a stool or chair to reach things
• not enough room to maneuver
• presence of throw/scatter rug
• presence of slippery floor
• poor lighting
• presence of a pet underfoot when preparing meals

Question 6

Bedroom potential hazards

Answer 6

• presence of clutter
• presence of electric cords across the floor
• unsafe carpet (uneven, torn, curled up)
• presence of throw/scatter rug
• height of bed (too high/low)
• lack of a telephone near the bed
• lack of nightlight
• arrangement that causes difficulty reaching items
• lack of device to get in/out of bed

Question 7

Bathroom potential hazards

Answer 7

• presence of unsafe bath rugs
• lack of grab bars in the tub
• lack of grab bars in the shower area
• lack of grab bars near the toilet
• toilet is too high/low
• slippery tub (lack of bath mat)
• claw foot/tub that is high to get into
• lack of bath chair in the shower area
• clutter
• incorrect placement of grab bars

Question 8

Staircases potential hazards

Answer 8

• poor or lack of. lighting
• lack of railings
• clutter
• steps too steep
• slippery steps without tread/carpet

Question 9

Laundry room/basement potential hazards

Answer 9

• poor or lack of lighting
• lack of railings
• clutter
• steps too steep
• slippery steps without carpet/luminous light
• presence of cords across the floor
• same colored floor at bottom of stairs

Question 10

Garage potential hazards

Answer 10

• poor or lack of lighting
• uneven/cracked floor
• slippery floor
• clutter
• unsecured/loose items
• presence of shoes near the door
• unmarked/raised threshold