As you get older, your balance can decline, and simple activities around the house — like getting in and out of the shower, or leaving bed to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night — can become more difficult. But you deserve to have independence at home, and it’s more than possible; it just takes some strategic modifications.The National Institute on Aging published a list of ways to prevent falls at home that includes household items to install — or just keep on hand — for your safety. The NIA doesn’t endorse specific brands or products on its list, but we used the suggestions to create our own list of highly-rated products that you can easily acquire online. Ahead, see how you can stay safe without sacrificing your independence. From the hallways to the bathroom, each area of your home can be a safety hazard — but with smart planning, it doesn’t have to be.AmazonSuction grab bars for your shower with a built-in safety indicatorEven without ongoing balance issues, slipping in the shower can be a concern, so you can’t go wrong with safety measures like this two-pack of non-slip grab bars that can suction to the wall and give you something steady to hold onto as you get in and out. The suction design allows them to be installed tool-free, but they’re still secure on smooth, non-porous and sealed walls. They even have a safety indicator that turns red if the suction is not attached correctly, so you know whether you have to adjust.Promising review: “I’ve been using these for several months in my garden tub/shower. They hold to the wall strongly and support my weight when maneuvering in and out of the tub for balance. Bathing is so much better with these rails….just in case. They are attractive on the wall and barely noticeable as they blend in. Nice design and strong. Highly recommend this product. They do not leave any marks on your walls either. I have removed and re-situated my bars and they still work great! And create a strong seal again.” — JeanAmazonThe award-winning Gorilla Grip bath mat that can prevent scary bathroom fallsHaving a non-slip surface to stand on in the bathroom is especially crucial, because your floors will inevitably get wet sometimes. This Gorilla Grip bath mat is so popular among HuffPost readers that we gave it a HuffPost Shopping Award, thanks to its plush chenille top and textured rubber backing that make it soft and durable, not to mention help it stay in place when you step on it.My parents bought the bath mat in the gray color and rectangular shape shown here for their guest bathroom. I'm probably the person who's stepped on it the most frequently when I've stayed with them, and never once felt the rug slip underneath my feet. It's a godsend to have that sense of security, considering my parents' shower is a tub with a sliding glass door, an awkward design that makes getting in and out a bit of a to-do. The rug is also extremely absorbent, and feels like stepping onto a cloud. The bath mat super affordable and available in a staggering amount of colors, shapes and sizes to fit your bathroom.AmazonSome motion-sensor night lights, so you can always avoid obstaclesThe NIA’s list recommends motion-activated lights plugged into the wall so you can always see where you’re going, even at night. This four-pack fits the bill, as it can detect motion up to 5 meters away with a range of 120 degrees, and the lights automatically shut off after 60 seconds of no motion. These lights also have five-step and stepless dimming. According to the brand, each nightlight has an annual energy cost of less than 2 cents.Plus, if you just want the lights always on, you can choose “night mode” instead of the motion-sensing auto mode so that they switch on and stay on when the ambient light gets dark.Promising review: “These lights are awesome! My husband and I bought them for our bedroom so that we wouldn’t trip on the dog in the middle of the night and my elderly parents have them so my dad does not fall on the way to the bathroom. The light is nice. You can make it lighter or not as bright and it only stays on for 60 seconds. You don’t have a night light on all throughout the night in the room….Id buy these over and over again great for functionality and safety!” — KristaAmazonA flashlight to keep by your bed in case of emergenciesInstalling adequate lighting is all well and good, but sometimes the power goes out. In that instance, having a flashlight by your bed can help you get around in an emergency. This popular option can be bought in a one-, two- or four-pack, so you can have the one in your bedside table and some extras for other rooms in the house, if you want to be even more cautious. It comes with the necessary AAA batteries, has a beam distance of up to 492 feet and is even zoomable to get light exactly where you want it.AmazonPlus a set of handrails specifically for the toiletThe shower isn’t the only place grab bars can be useful; there are handrails specifically designed for the toilet to help you sit down and get up, too. This safety rail can support up to 300 pounds, is HSA/FSA-eligible and can be adjusted to your desired width between 17 and 20 inches (it fits most standard toilets, but you’l want to check the measurements before you purchase).Promising review: “This has been such a miracle product! I just had foot surgery (non-weight bearing). It was such a chore trying to sit down to go to the bathroom. The toilet rail makes it easier to situate myself, when getting on or off the toilet, taking some of the stress off of my good foot. It was easy to install and it has foam handles on the rail for comfort when gripping and when resting your forearms on them. I totally recommend this product to anyone that has had surgery or has problems with balance.” — Krystal ReyesAmazonA grabber tool with extra-long reachThis reacher grabber tool is another HuffPost Shopping Award winner, having stood out as a useful tool to reach things up high and down low without bending, straining or requiring that you stand on a chair or table (and potentially fall in the process). The full-hand trigger is ergonomic and easy to operate the jaw, which also rotates to grab objects that get knocked over, are on a high shelf or are just in hard-to-reach places. And, if you need to store it in a tight space or take it on the go, the 34-inch tool folds in half at the middle to make it compact.The tool has earned 4.6 stars across more than 19,000 Amazon ratings, with reviewers calling it "a total lifesaver" and lauding its ability to pick up very small objects that you may think such a long tool would struggle with, like a jar of nuts or a single pill.And while it's designed for older adults' daily living, it also has other uses: One reviewer reported using it to pick up roadside litter with ease, for example.AmazonThis cable organizer to keep cords from becoming tripping hazardsThe NIA suggests keeping electrical cords close to the walls and out of the way, since they can present a tripping hazard. Our recommendation is to get a cable organizer to clean up and store cord clutter. You can attach them to walls or to a nearby desk or TV stand, for instance. Able to store up to 10 cables, the organizer has adhesive tape on the back that you can stick to your desired surface and heat with a hairdryer to safely remove (after you take the cables out, of course). The open-top design also makes it easy to get any needed cords out when you want. This one comes in four colors.AmazonSome non-slip traction tape, wherever you need itIdeal for stairs, ladders, outdoor surfaces and anywhere else you want some extra assistance, this anti-slip tape can give the floor a bit more grip to better ensure your safety. It’s available in tons of sizes to fit your home’s needs, and works on most smooth surfaces inside and outside, even in extreme weather (-4 to 140 degrees).Promising review: “I purchased this tape to replace the tape that came with my Step to Bed platform. The original tape was slimmer and had curled at the edges. This tape provides a great non-slip surface so I don’t stumble or slip getting in and out of bed. I’m 86 and have some balance issues. I’m thinking of putting it on my outside steps too.” — june abramsonAmazonYet another handrail, this time for your outdoor stepsYou can never have too many handrails. This one is useful for any outdoor stairs (one to three steps), and comes in single units or two-packs, if you want support on both sides as you go up and down. The smooth, round U-shape of the rails offers a comfortable grip and unlike some other handrails, has no parts sticking out that you might bump into. The rail can be installed in just a few minutes, and it comes in white or black.Promising review: “We used this product in our garage for the two steps up to the kitchen entrance. It doesn’t require a floor support post and if anchored to a wall correctly, is very solid. The finish is uniformly a satin black and the steel doesn’t have any rough edges. The quality is very good. It’s great as we are getting older to have something to hold onto going up or down the steps.” — Katherine MurthaTrending In ShoppingMore In Shopping