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When decorating a home, aesthetic considerations tend to prevail. But the home in which you live also has to be comfortable and, above all, safe, both day and night.

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Well-organised lighting
Switches should be easy to find at home. If this is not the case, small adhesive -usually circular- lamps should be placed in specific rooms or passages, such as corridors, stairs, bathrooms or kitchens. These lights fix on to walls or the ground and can be switched on with hands or feet. They are energy saving and can thus be left on the whole night to guide night owls in their nocturnal excursions.

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Sensors
A costlier but more efficient alternative is to install sensors, either individual models in each room or else in the entire house. These devices automatically switch on the light on noticing the presence of a person. The light intensity is programmed in advance using a small remote control unit.

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This may an expensive solution, but it is highly recommended in homes with children or old age pensioners used to getting up in the dead of the night. They not only prevent accidents, but also bring down light bills as most of the sensors on the market switch off the light as soon as the person has left the room.

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Positioning the furniture
Last but not least should be the positioning of furniture in the home. Wide passages should be left between furniture to prevent collisions or falls. A gap of at least a metre and a half should be left between one piece of furniture and another.

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When you purchase a piece of furniture, it is best to choose one with rounded edges; although if you opt for one with pointed edges, you can prevent collisions by placing rubber or foam protectors on the corners. If your home has stairs, a good solution is to install rubber corner pieces on the edges of the steps. Your shoe will then grip the steps and you will avoid tripping.

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And in case your lighting installation fails or there is a power cut, it is very useful to keep a lamp with batteries in your bedside table. This is the simplest solution which will save from ending up in a fix.

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