A hose left lying on brick paving can cause slip and trip hazards.
Sons and daughters are being urged to give a special Mother's Day gift this May - a safety audit of the home for elderly parents, especially those living alone.
Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects, says home safety is one of the most important gifts sons and daughters could give their mums.
Queensland state manager of Archicentre Ian Agnew says elderly people often do not recognise dangers in the home that can lead to serious injuries or fatal incidents.
Fires can cause serious injury or death. They also destroy a family's most cherished possessions and home. In Australia each year, some 70 people die as a result of fire, and probably more than 1000 people suffer from serious burns in house fires.
Mr Agnew says that this year, especially with the Federal Government's Home Insulation Program problems, people are urged to check if their elderly parents have had insulation installed under the scheme, and if so have they had it inspected for safety issues.
Archicentre has a number of top areas listed for home safety - these include:
. Install new batteries in the smoke detector and test the alarm is working efficiently.
. Ensure all deadlocks have keys in them on the inside of the door.
. Loose electrical extension leads across the floor can create a trip hazard.
. Loose rugs which may cause slip and trips especially at the tops of stairs.
. The storage of stacks of old newspapers creating a fire hazard in the home.
. Check for slippery or unsafe steps or decks which may need repair or the removal of slippery moss or slime.
. A hose left lying on the brick paving can cause slip and trip hazards.
. Look for leaking taps or damaged downpipes that could make paths slippery and hazardous.
Mr Agnew said many of these hazards can be quickly observed and removed.
