Home Safety

Changes in sight or hearing can affect how safely you move around. Good lighting, regular eye tests and simple equipment can all help.

This page shares practical advice to support your vision and hearing, helping you reduce the risk of falls and feel more aware of your surroundings at home.

Improve Lighting in and Between Rooms

• Make sure every area of your home is well-lit, especially stairs, hallways and entrances.
• Use bright, energy-efficient bulbs. Fluorescent or LED bulbs are cost-effective and provide strong, even light.
• Try to keep lighting levels similar in each room to avoid sudden changes in brightness.
• Use lamps or wall lights in corners and darker areas.
• Reduce glare from windows or shiny floors by using blinds or light curtains.

Make Night-time Safer

• Plug-in night lights can help you safely get to the bathroom or hallway in the dark.
• A dusk-to-dawn night light automatically switches on when it gets dark — no need to remember it each night.
• Avoid walking in the dark — turn on a light before moving from one room to another.

Look After Your Eyesight

• Have your eyes tested at least once every two years — more often if advised by your optician.
• Your prescription can change over time, and it’s important that your glasses match your current needs.
• Be careful with bifocals and varifocals, especially on steps, stairs and uneven surfaces.
• If you can’t leave home, ask your optician about a home visit.

For more information, visit the Vision section in our advice library.

Support Your Hearing

• If you're struggling to hear clearly, book a hearing test or speak to your GP.
• Poor hearing can affect balance, increase confusion, and make it harder to notice hazards.
• If you use a hearing aid, make sure it's clean, working properly, and worn during the day.
• Don’t ignore signs like ringing, muffled sounds, or difficulty following conversations — help is available.

For more information, visit the RNID Hearing Tests and Support.

Calling for Assistance

If you're concerned about hearing an alarm, doorbell or phone, specialist equipment is available — such as flashing alarms or vibrating alerts. Personal alarms worn on your wrist or neck can also provide peace of mind.

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Find Support

Please find below useful links, relevant resources and contact information. All links open in a new window and may include links to websites, videos, and PDF files for downloading and printing. 

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Local Support 

Visit our Help and Contacts section
Find local help and support
Find help to stay active in your area
Find local home safety support

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Social Services

You are struggling with day-to-day living at home, and you feel you might need care support.

Staffordshire County Council
Phone: 0300 111 8010 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)    

Stoke-on-Trent City Council 
Phone: 0800 561 0015  

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Sensory Support

Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent - NHS Audiology
Audiology and hearing services self-referral.

Sensory support for sight and hearing loss | Staffordshire County Council
Advice, support, and care for adults struggling with hearing or vision loss.

Staffordshire County Council - Sensory Loss Information (PDF)
Download the sensory service information guide.

Sensory Team - Staffordshire
The Sensory Team at Midlands Partnership University Trust offers specialist information, advice, guidance and support to people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deafened or Deafblind, and to people with a visual impairment.

Staffordshire Sight Loss
Services from Staffordshire Sight Loss to empower blind and partially sighted people in North Staffordshire to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

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Helpful Links 

Loss of vision - NHS
Navigating sight loss - RNIB
Eye health advice - Age UK
Eye health and sight loss advice - RNIB
Having an eye examination at home - RNIB
Free Online hearing test - RNID
Hearing loss guidance - Age UK
Smart technology for the home - RNIB 

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More on this website

Visit our Information and Advice section
Visit our Staying Active section
Visit our Home Safety section
Visit our Help and Contacts section 
Start your online Self-Assessment

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