Visiting my mother, 75, is always an experience but sometimes it can be cause for concern. She never met a garage sale she didn’t like. Venturing into her home is not unlike an archaeologist beginning a dig. You’re never really sure what you’ll find.

As a child of the Depression, her pack-rat status is understandable. (I hate to admit it, but some of it has rubbed off on me. I still have drinking glasses adorned with tennis rackets, and I bought them in 1973.)

This has been the running joke in our family for years. While there is no harm in being a “collector,” the problem lies when the items of affection start taking over the living space.

Narrowing pathways, partially obstructed by furniture, can present the danger of falling, especially for seniors whose balance and vision may be impaired.

June being National Safety Month, it seemed the perfect time to offer some advice on avoiding injuries in the home.

“Things you wouldn’t even think of can be hazardous,” said Gerry Beaulieu, community service consultant at Eastern Agency on Aging. “I had a client who tripped over her long nightie, fell and broke her hip. And area rugs should be given away because, even [when they are] taped down, it is possible [for a person] to trip on the edges. This is especially true for someone with a dropped foot, or one who tends to shuffle. And if you are on oxygen, beware of the hose. That is also a tripping hazard.”

Beaulieu, while acknowledging that the following tips may seem like common sense, suggests glancing around your home. There may be one or two things you could change to make your surroundings a little safer.

. Keep clutter, including electrical and extension cords, away from stairs and high traffic areas.

. Keep furniture, especially low items such as that cute footstool, out of pathways. It is very easy to catch a toe or the leg of a walker and cause a tumble.

. Clean up spills immediately. I know this sounds simple, but recently I spilled water while filling my cats’ dish. I didn’t clean it up right at that moment and later stepped in it. Water on linoleum is an easy way to take a spill of your own.

. Look around for hazards. A grandchild’s crayon or a magazine dropped on the floor can be dangerous.

. Have your eyes and ears checked. Hearing plays an important role in balance and space perception. Also, make sure your prescription for eyeglasses is current. If your vision is a little blurry, you may trip over things not easily seen.

. Speak with your doctor about medications that may cause dizziness. Also, be mindful of standing up too quickly after sleeping or sitting for long periods, something that can make you dizzy as well.

. Keep an eye on pets, which can get underfoot especially at feeding time.

. Be particularly careful when walking outside. Avoid grassy patches, which may be uneven.

. Invest in cordless phones. Some models have a base and remote unit. It is like getting two phones for the price of one. They are not expensive and are easily set up. My mother has one and loves it. She no longer needs to run for the phone when it rings.

And speaking of my mother, she reviewed this column and was delighted that I had addressed the issue of falling.

“Very important tips for seniors,” she said. My attempts at further discussion, however, were put on hold. She informed me she saw a garage sale in the paper that just couldn’t be missed. Sigh.

Carol Higgins is communications director at Eastern Agency on Aging. For more information on EAA services or programs, call 941-2865 or log on www.eaaa.org.