There are thousands of people every year, majority of which are seniors aged 65 and older, who die because of falls and accidents in the home. Most of these accidents occur in the bathroom where floors are oftentimes slippery and hard surfaces and corners are aplenty. Accidents in the bathroom are not just major concerns for homes with elderly members,but also for those with children, individuals with disabilities, and those who have mobility problems.
Fortunately, there are proven and effective ways to make your bathroom safer and accident-proof. These preventive measures can minimize the chances of slips and falls in the bathroom. Among these effective fall-proof methods are as follows:
Use of non-slip Bath Mats
Many falls occur when people get in and out of the bathtub or shower, and during times when users adjust valves or operate temperature controls. To avoid these problems, make sure to place non-slip mats of strips in the bathtub or shower and just outside it. If your bathroom has tiled surfaces, think of redesigning to install textured surfaces that prevent slips.
Ensuring Adequate Lighting
Many accidents in the bathroom happen at night are mainly caused by improper lighting. Make sure that your switch is easily accessible in the dark. You should also consider installing a night light, especially if some members in your household frequently use the bathroom at night. This way, they do not have to grope around to look for the switch.
Placement of a Seat in the Shower
A small, sturdy chair can make a difference in the shower. You can consider getting one of those walkin bathtubs with built-in seats if you have the budget. Or you can go for a portable bench that is just the right size to fit into your shower area. Padded seats offer more comfort.
Installation of Handrails and Grab Bars
Grab bars and handrails are great ways to minimize accidents in the bathroom. They provide extra support and can be conveniently installed in strategic areas like the toilet, the side walls of the tub, and the entrance. Make sure they are within easy reach.
De-clutter and Keeping the Bathroom Clear
Falls can be caused by tripping on items lying on the bathroom floor. Make sure to keep the floor clean of practically everything – make sure there is a place to put everything in. You may also want to avoid those bulky, raised bath rugs as users can easily trip on them.
Installation of Liquid Soap Dispenser
Dispensers held in place can be quite useful, especially if you have elderly or infirmed members in the household. With dispensers, they no longer have to go through all the trouble of reaching the soap in their trays. Remember too, that soaps are slippery on its own – anyone can easily slip on it if it accidentally gets dropped on the bathroom floor.
It is very important for you to be vigilant about keeping your bathroom accident-proof. It doesn’t take much to redesign the bathroom – and every bit you spend in doing so is an investment worth spending on.
