Essential Bathroom Safety Tips

Every year, a staggering 235,000 Americans find themselves in emergency rooms due to bathroom-related injuries. This surprising statistic emphasizes how important it is to make sure your bathroom is safe and secured. Whether you’re a parent of young children, caring for an elderly family member, or supporting someone with disabilities, taking proactive measures can make all the difference.

By adopting simple yet effective safety practices, you can create a secure and comfortable bathroom environment for everyone in your home, reducing the risk of accidents and promoting peace of mind.

Identifying Potential Hazards

The first step in improving bathroom safety is identifying potential hazards. Loose tiles, slippery surfaces, and obstructed pathways are common dangers that can lead to accidents. It’s essential to assess your bathroom thoroughly and often, looking for areas that may require additional support or modifications.

You can start checking for potential hazards by:

• Checking for any loose or damaged tiles and repairing them promptly.
• Ensuring your bathroom floor is dry and free of slippery substances.
• Keeping pathways clear of obstacles to prevent tripping.
• Looking for areas where additional mobility support, such as grab bars or non-slip mats, might be needed.

12 Tips to Improve Bathroom Safety in Your Home

1. Reduce Clutter for a Safer Space

Keeping the bathroom clutter-free is essential to prevent tripping. Ensure toiletries and other necessities are within easy reach to avoid overreaching and bending.

In addition, using storage solutions like shelves, cabinets, and baskets are the best way to keep toiletries and other items off the floor.

2. Use Non-Slip Mats and Strips

Non-slip mats in the bathtub and shower are vital for preventing falls. The most common type of non-slip mats are those placed directly outside of your bathtub or shower. However, there are also mats that can be placed within these areas to prevent slips and falls while bathing.

Non-slip strips are also an effective substitute to mats, and often provide better traction even when covered with lots of water or soap.

It’s a good idea to check and replace worn-out mats and strips regularly to maintain their effectiveness.

3. Install Night Lights for Better Visibility

Installing night lights in the bathroom and hallway can significantly reduce the risk of accidents during nighttime visits. Modern night lights come equipped with motion sensors, meaning that you don’t have to risk turning them on by yourself in the dark.

The same type of lighting can also be installed in the bedroom and other rooms around the house, providing an extra layer of security as you move around at night.

4. Raise the Toilet Seat

A simple but often overlooked tip, raising the toilet seat makes sitting and standing easier. Using the toilet while sitting and taking your time standing up will ensure that you remain balanced.

You can also add an elevated toilet seat or a commode chair for added convenience.

No matter which setup you choose, always ensure that your toilet seat is properly secured by checking the screws at its base.

5. Install Grab Bars for Support

Grab bars can be installed throughout the bathroom to provide stability around the shower and vanity. Available in a variety of sizes and lengths, grab bars are an ideal tool for safely guiding yourself around the bathroom.

Place them next to the shower for easy entering and exiting, or next to the toilet to stand up safely. Many grab bars, such as the ones offered by MobilityWorks@home, are also easy to install and support up to 500 pounds of support. MobilityWorks@home can provide a free in-home assessment for installing grab bars in your home. Schedule your free consultation here.

6. Install Security Poles

Security poles offer stability in transition areas of the home, such as the bathroom, near the stairs, or at the bedside. They are tension-mounted, allowing for a simple install that doesn’t require any cutting or drilling.

Like grab bars, security poles are available in straight cuts and curved models. Curved grab bars can provide extra support depending on your mobility.

7. Use Shower and Bath Chairs

Shower chairs improve accessibility, allowing for safer transfers in and out of the shower without needing a bathroom remodel. Choose chairs with non-slip feet and comfortable seating, and ensure they fit securely in the tub or shower.

8. Ensure Safe Water Temperature

Before stepping into the shower or tub, be sure to check that the water is safe to use. Water that is too hot or too cold can pose potential health risks, especially for elderly and disabled individuals, such as altered body temperature or irritated skin.

While most people check the temperate using their hand or finger, you can also use an anti-scald device. This tool automatically adds cold water to your pipe before the water is dispensed, instantly cooling it down in case it’s too hot.

9. Educate Family Members

Educating family members about bathroom safety measures is crucial. There are several important topics to cover when training your family, such as:

• Making sure everyone understands the individual’s unique needs.
• Ensuring the individual always has their privacy and dignity respected.
• Proper techniques for transferring in, out, and around the bathroom.
• Having an emergency plan in case of an accident.

10. Hire a Caregiver

If family members can’t provide supervision, consider hiring a professional caregiver.

A caregiver can be integrated into your daily routine and assist with navigating not only the bathroom, but other areas around your home.

11. Use Transfer Benches

Transfer benches facilitate safe transfers in and out of the bathtub. Select a sturdy and comfortable transfer bench, and ensure it is used and maintained correctly for maximum safety. We can provide a free in-home assessment to help determine which transfer bench solution is right for you. You can schedule your consultation here.

12. Handheld Shower Sprays

For those who prefer showers, handheld shower sprays allow for easier and more convenient bathing. They allow the individual to sit down while bathing, preventing any risk of a large fall. Shower sprays also allow easier bathing of the hair, body, and even pets.

Be sure to carefully install the shower sprayer using the manufacturer’s instructions.

Start Securing Your Bathroom Today with MobilityWorks

Are you interested in learning more on how you can keep your safe around the bathroom? Explore our brand new bathroom safety solutions, including grab bars, security poles, and shower chairs. Our Certified Home Access Consultants can help you choose the right solution for your individual needs and home setup. With a free in-home assessment and professional installation within days, we will make your bathroom one of the safest rooms in your home again.

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