Dear Heloise: As a home health nurse, I get called to visit patients wherever they live. A great many of the people I see have fallen down a staircase or tripped over something.  The ones who survived were the lucky ones because a fall can and has been the death of many elderly people.  Here are some things your readers can do to help prevent a fatal fall:

— Make certain that there is absolutely no clutter or furniture in the pathways that people take to get to the bathroom, bedroom, family room, etc. I see so many injuries from people who tripped over a toy, a pet, or other items that were not in their proper place.

— I know they’re not pretty, but install grab bars in your bathrooms. I get news of someone slipping in the shower almost every week. Also, make sure there is a grab bar by the toilet and shower. While you’re at it, install a showerhead that also has a handheld nozzle attached. This allows a patient to sit down on a shower stool and wash themselves.

— Dark rooms just invite accidents! Install motion-detector lights on stairs and hallways. Add more light to every room so that you can see better.

— Add handrails on both sides of the stairways. If someone slips, they have the chance to grab a handrail if there are ones on each side.

— Ask your doctor if any of the medications you take are likely to make you tired or dizzy. If they don’t know or you forget to ask, then ask your pharmacist.

— If you plan on moving to a smaller place that’s easier to maintain, consider a one-story dwelling and a place with no steps. If it’s an apartment, you might want to seriously consider one that has an elevator or one that doesn’t require walking up steps.

— Visit an eye doctor for a check-up. When our eyes start to get worse, it’s so gradual that we don’t always notice. A new pair of glasses might be all it takes to keep you safe from a serious injury. — Catlin R., Pittsburgh

BAY LEAVES AND BUGS

Dear Heloise: When I was growing up, my family always used bay leaves to keep bugs out of the pantry. We also put it in the cabinet under the kitchen and bathroom sinks. It worked like a charm!

Everyone in my house reads your column, and we’ve enjoyed all of your wonderful hints for many years. — Marylyn L., Mansfield, Ohio

Marylyn, thank you very much for being such a loyal reader of my column! — Heloise

SOUND OFF ON ­VOICEMAILS

Dear Heloise: When I answer my telephone machine, the person on the other sides often talks so fast, then leaves their telephone number. But it’s said so fast that I guarantee I will have to play it back to hear it, especially if the person says, “OK, thanks! Hope you’re having a great day.”

Do us all a favor and make sure that the last thing you leave on a message is the telephone number. And say it slowly!

The same thing goes for names of businesses. Make sure the person knows the name of the company you work for, but slow it down! When you get used to saying it all the time, it can often be said too fast! — Keith F., via email

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.