Around-the-House Checklist
Barrier-Free Living Checklist

--Always consider easy access when installing doors. Wide doors permit personal entry; bi-fold or sliding doors keep the door from getting in the way. The backside of closet doors can hold hanging bags or shelving to increase storage capacity.

--Avoid many-layered window coverings and draperies. Roll-up shades and mini-blinds are easy to operate.

--Choose D-shaped hardware pulls rather than round knobs or fold-away pulls that may be hard to grip.

--Choose lever-type door handles rather than round door knobs. The levers are easier to operate when hand grip is impaired.

--Install smoke detectors in all levels of your house. Have alarms outside bedrooms (in the hall), in laundry and furnace rooms, in the kitchen, and in an attached garage. Test each alarm at least once a month.

--Install electrical outlets at convenient heights to avoid having to stoop or bend to reach them. Electrical outlets are placed low to the floor by custom, not as a code requirement.

--Select products that are easy to clean and maintain - non-stain carpets, upholstery fabric with Scotchgard (TM) protection, no-wax flooring.

--Keep stairs and steps clean and well-lit. Don't store cleaning products or cleaning equipment on basement stairs where they become a tripping hazard.

--Install dimmer swithces on all lights. Dimmer switches save electricity, extend bulb life, and permit the light intensity to be adjusted. Buy switches with lighted toggles you can find in the dark, and turn the lights low for use as nighttime convenience lights.

--Consider ease of maintenance when buying any home products.

--Check Consumer Reports for frequency of repair listings on appliances, cars, etc. Buy with repair costs in mind.

--Read and heed owner's manuals for any tool or appliance you buy. Follow periodic maintenance instructions to prolong the item's life and reduce repair costs.

--Clean and lubricate hinges, locks, drawer tracks, windows, and appliance motors to keep them operating smoothly.

--Remove any doors that are not needed for privacy. Store the doors in a basement or storeroom so they're available to a future owner.


Written by Gary Branson
Reprinted with permission. Copyright HouseNet, Inc.

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