A person with a traumatic brain injury must take steps to ensure safety. Below is a home safety checklist to assist the individual with the traumatic brain injury and his or her caregiver.

1. While cooking, is a timer available to help you keep track of items cooking on the flame?

2. Do you use a "whistling" teakettle?

3. Are commonly used items kept in the same location?

4. Have commonly used telephone numbers been pre-programmed into the telephone and/or posted near the telephone?

5. Do you use a calendar or scheduling book to help remind you of important events?

6. If necessary, have you posted signs by the door to help remind you to:

• Lock the front door when you leave
• Turn off appliances when you finish using them
• Take out the garbage

7. Is your front door house key color coded for easy identification?

8. When the doorbell rings, do you use the peephole to identify who it is before opening the door to let the person in?

9. When necessary, do you utilize checklists with correct steps and sequences for household tasks, such as the laundry or making a bed?

10. Are directions and steps for multi-step tasks posted at the appropriate locations (e.g., near washing machine)?

11. Are sharp utensils separated from other items and arranged in a kitchen drawer with handles pointing towards you?

12. Are toxic household cleaning fluids kept separate from other items to avoid potential confusion?

13. Have unnecessary items been removed from the living environment to decrease confusion and distraction?

14. Are commonly used items kept in a consistent, prominent place?

15. Are cabinets labeled to assist in locating objects?

16. If you are "neglectful" of one side of your body, are objects placed and positioned where you can see and reach them?

17. Do you use a watch with an alarm and calendar display?

18. Are the most "taxing" household activities planned for the time of day when you feel most alert and attentive?

19. Do you have a "Medi-Alert" system in place?

20. Does a family member or friend have a key to your home in case of emergencies?