Bean bags

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Place two large waterproof beanbags in the bath when not in use. This will reduce the risk if the person falls into the bath when in the bathroom. Bean bags are available from a range of shops including Tesco, Matalan and Au Naturale.

Towels

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Place a few thick towels along the edge of the bath when the bath is not in use. This will reduce the risk of injury if the person falls onto the edge of the bath.

Non-slip mat

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Ensure you have a really good non-slip mat in the bath and on the floor.

Taps

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Use protective covers on taps.

Sound monitor

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A sound monitor in the bathroom can ensure privacy yet still allow carers to hear if you need assistance.

Cold first

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Always fill the bath with cold water first, then add hot.

Shower safe

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A shower is safer to use than a bath since there is less risk of drowning, fewer edges to fall against and it is easier to get in and out of. A level-access shower offers the least risk.

No soap tray

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Ensure there is not a soap tray or other small ledges sticking out in the shower area.

Shower curtains

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Shower curtains are less harmful to fall against and easier for other people to access if the person you are supporting has a seizure.

Plastic containers

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Use plastic containers in the bathroom instead of glass.

Outside access

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Make sure the bathroom lock can be opened from the outside.

Electric razor

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Use an electric razor to avoid cuts.

Wall fittings

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Fittings should be as flush to the wall as possible.

Seizure Tracker

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iTunes store has a free app for tracking and recording seizure activity. SeizureTracker.com helps manage epilepsy and store a record of seizures in a library, which you can edit at any time to add additional information, such as triggers, seizure description, what happened afterwards etc. itunes.apple.com

Corner cushions

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Corner cushions/protectors on the corners of radiators, furniture etc can protect people if they fall. You can buy these at Boots, Mothercare, Argos and large DIY stores.

Safety glass/film

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Ensure all glass in tables, doors, windows etc is safety glass. If it is not possible to replace glass, you can buy safety glass film in DIY shops or Mothercare.

Doors

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Ideally, doors should open in both directions. Sliding doors, concertina door or doors that open outwards are a good compromise.

Wall padding

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If someone you are supporting with epilepsy tends to fall in the same place you can use wall padding in that area. You can get it from a no of suppliers, including: www.kiddiecush.co.uk

Radiator guards

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You can buy radiator guards in a wide range of varieties. The most common and easiest to find and fit are wooden and available in DIY stores. You can also get radiator guards made of padded material which protect against the heat and any sharp edges.

Keep it thick

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A thicker carpet can decrease the incidence of hip fractures or other serious injuries from falling.

Soft Floor

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You can get multi-purpose, interlocking jigsaw floor mats made from soft-closed cell EVA foam and rubber. Low-cost, low-maintenance and safer for falls. www.softfloor.co.uk

Saucepan handles

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Turn saucepan handles to the side to avoid knocking pans off the cooker.

Keep it on the back burner

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Encourage the person you are supporting to use the back rings or burners rather than the front.

Cooker guard

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Fit a cooker guard around the front of the hob so that rings or burners are harder to touch by accident. Ikea sells one.

Use a trolley

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Encourage the person you are supporting to use a trolley to transport food from the kitchen to the eating area.

Food processors

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Encourage the person you are supporting to use food processors and choppers instead of knives.

Use a toaster

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Encourage the person you are supporting to use a toaster instead of the grill.

Touch-close handles

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Replace kitchen cupboard handles with touch-close mechanisms so there is nothing protruding for people to fall against.

Low-level bed

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A low-level bed, a futon or a three-in-one bed can reduce the risk for someone prone to falling out of bed.

Anti-suffocation pillows

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You can buy anti-suffocation pillows. There is a discount website, provided by a pharmacist in the UK who had a son with epilepsy: www.sleep-safe.co.uk/id90.htm

Avoid bed-side tables

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Keep furniture away from the side of the bed (especially bed-side tables).

Night-time seizures

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submitted on 1/4/2011 by Gemma Conyard

A wrist rattle will alert you to night-time seizures if your child has epilepsy. For bigger children you can make your own by attaching bells to a hair band. There are obviously more sophisticated alarms out there, but this is a simple solution while you are waiting for assesments etc

Grass or wood

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Lawn, bark or wooden decking is safer than paving or gravel.

Cover ponds

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Ensure ponds are covered with mesh or other protective coverings.