Home Safety Assessment - Back/Side Door

From the Department of Rehabilitation Science - University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Portions of the full document are used here as a helpful tool to find issues in your home.

Entrance to the Back/Side Door

The list identifies all the potential home hazards that may cause a fall.

1. Lack of railings or unstable railing
2. Unsafe steps (too step/cracked)
3. Unmarked or raised threshold
4. Lack of lighting at night
5. Lack of a ramp for a wheelchair
6. Uneven/cracked pavement
7. Ice or snow on driveway/walkway
8. Lack of an outdoor grab bar

Solutions to Problems in the Entrance to the Back/Side Door

1. Lack of railings or unstable railing

• Add at least one railing, ideally one on each wall.
• Have unstable railing stabilized.

• Have damaged or broken steps repaired.

• Mark end of steps or thresholds with contrasting tape or paint color to increase awareness of changes in height.

• Add an outdoor light fixture if not present.
• Add a sensor light that automatically turns on and off.

• Have a remodeler or home contractor construct a ramp that will allow wheelchair access in and out of the home.

• Have uneven or cracked pavement repaired.
• Avoid these areas if possible when walking to and from the home.
• Contact local government for repair if it is a sidewalk or driveway end. 

• Use snow melter.
• Have snow/ice removed by a neighbor or service.

• Add an outdoor grab bar next to the door.