For people who have vision problems, a house can be full of hazards.
But there are some simple ways to make your home safer.
Lighting is really important.
Use bright lights in entryways.
And put lamps wherever you need more light, like by your favorite chair or in dark corners.
Avoiding falls is important too, so keep walkways clear of electric cords.
Arrange your furniture so it's easy to get around.
Push chairs in when you're not using them.
And tape down the edges of rugs, or get rid of rugs completely.
Slick floors can make you slip, so don't use wax.
Use a nonskid, nonglare floor cleaner instead.
And remember, contrast can really help.
So if you have light-colored walls, paint the doorframes a dark color and add dark doorknobs.
Use switch plates and outlet covers that are darker or lighter than the walls, whichever will stand out more.
Mark stove and thermostat settings with easy-to-see paint or tape.
Stairs can cause problems, so put a dark strip of tape or paint along the edge of each step.
Add handrails that extend beyond the top and bottom steps.
And make sure there's enough light.
Color-code your medicines with high-contrast labels so they're easier to tell apart.
Use waterproof tape to mark temperature settings on your tub and sink so you won't scald or freeze yourself.
Using these ideas will help you make your home a safer place and keep you living better with a vision problem.
