The bathroom can be a dangerous place for kids, people with mobility issues, and the elderly.
Many accidents and personal injuries that occur at home happen in the bathroom. In fact, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 235,000 people over 15 years old receive emergency room treatment every year because of bathroom-related injuries.
The risk of injury can be significantly reduced by implementing the following advice.
Making Your Bathroom Safe for Elderly Family Members
Those with mobility and balance issues are more susceptible to bathroom injuries, however you can reduce the risks by installing the following bathroom safety equipment for seniors.
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Grab bars. You can install grab bars in reachable places inside your bathroom. In this way, it can assist the balance and stability of a person upon entering and exiting the shower area or the tub.
One important reminder is that you should use bolted grab bars rather than suction cup bars, which can shift or easily come off when used. Another thing is that all grab bars should have a slip-resistant feature.
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Shower chair. A shower chair is invaluable to elderlies who have difficulties in standing for an extended period.
When you decide to buy a shower chair, keep in mind that a good quality shower chair has rubber on each of the leg tips to prevent sliding. These chairs are convenient when your bathroom has a hand-held shower head so that the senior can simply sit while showering.
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Tension pole. If grab bars aren't suitable for your bathroom, then consider installing a tension pole. You can set this fixture up from wall to wall or from the floor to the ceiling. A tension pole can provide the elderly with something to hold onto when taking a bath.
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Tub-attached grab bar. A tub-attached grab bar will assist the elderly whenever they need to step inside and outside of the tub. This type of grab bar is only applicable if the elderly prefer the bathtub when taking a bath. When they transfer, a grab bar securely mounted on the rim of the tub can provide them balance support to avoid slipping.
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Handheld showerhead. Installing a handheld showerhead can make it easier to shower. It can make bathing simple while sitting on a shower chair. Also, being able to shower on their own gives an elderly person a greater sense of independence.
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Raised toilet seat. Some seniors have difficulty sitting down and getting back up. Installing a raised toilet seat can help a lot because they tilt forward to make standing back up much easier.
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Non-slip mats. Possibly one of the most important things to have in a bathroom are non-slip mats because they help prevent slips and falls by providing a stable footing even when the floor is wet.
Making Bathrooms Safe for Children
According to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report, from 2006 to 2010, there were 684 incidents involving kids below five years old, and 81% of the incidents involved bathtubs or bath related products. To help prevent these type of accidents, here are some tips to help you keep your bathroom safe for young children.
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Water temperature. To prevent scalding or burning, before you and your child enters the bathroom, always keep in mind to start with cold water before adding hot water. You can change the water heater so that the limit is no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 Degrees Celsius).
To test the warmth of the water, use your elbow or your wrist. An important thing to remember is that when your children are old enough to adjust the water temperature, teach them to start the cold water before the hot.
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Spout covers with a thermometer. Whilst using your elbow is a reasonable way to test water tempurature, for added piece of mind you can use a tap spout cover that has a built in thermometer.
The 4moms Spout Cover pictured below is a perfect example which you can buy from major retailers. Click here for the price and reviews at Amazon.com.
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Potty training toilet seat. Young children are too small to use a regular toilet without the risk of injury that can be caused by slipping and falling into the bowl. A child's potty training toilet seat cover fixes this problem. Here's an example you can buy at Amazon.com
Takeaway
There is a saying that "prevention is better than cure." Accidents happen, therefore to prevent unexpected dangers, it's better to create solutions and avoid significant problems that could stress you. Bathing should be a stress reliever, so consider these tips to have a comfortable and relaxing time inside the bathroom.
You might also like to read:
• Keeping the Home Safe for Elderly Parents
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