Make Your Bathroom Safer
An estimated 30%-50% of all falls happen in the bathroom. Knowing this, preventing bathroom falls can have a huge impact in reducing annual fall numbers overall. So what are some easy ways you can make your bathroom safer?
Replace Your Tub With a Walk-In Shower
A large part of fall prevention is removing obstacles. Often, the largest obstacle in a bathroom is the side of the bathtub. Stepping over the side onto slippery surfaces poses a real hazard, and replacing your tub with a walk-in shower is a great way to make your bathroom safer. Not only that, but a walk-in shower can add a clean, modern look to your bathroom.
If a walk-in shower doesn’t fit the budget, there are other, lower-cost ways that make getting in and out of the shower safer and easier. You might consider a tub cut-out, like the one featured here.
Tub cut-outs, like these from Clean Cut Bath, come in various styles, including a version that allows you to keep using your bathtub if soaking is your thing.
Add Grab Bars
Placement: Put grab bars in critical areas such as inside the shower, next to the bathtub, and beside the toilet. Often bars placed vertically are a good option for entering and exiting a shower/tub. Horizontally placed grab bars are a good way to add extra balance when standing or when going from a seated position to standing or vice versa. Make sure your grab bars are properly anchored, preferably into studs.
Types: ADA standards suggest grab bars have an outside diameter between 1.25 inches and 2 inches, in order to ensure the user can grip the bars securely and comfortably. We suggest using bars with peened or knurled surfaces to add grip, especially in wet environments.
Suction cup grab bars suck – literally and figuratively. Why? Because they are not anchored. So, even though grab bars should not be intended for full weight bearing, if you start to fall, there’s a good chance a suction cup bar will not hold. Read more about why suction cup grab bars suck.
Use Non-Slip Mats and Strips
Placement: Put non-slip mats inside and outside the shower or tub, as well as in front of the sink and toilet. Consider using non-slip strips on slippery surfaces like bathtubs or shower floors to improve traction.
Beyond that, get rid of loose throw rugs – you might like the way they look, but you could end up getting an even closer look if you end up lying on the floor next to your rug.
Use Shower Chairs and Benches
A shower chair or transfer bench can provide a safe place to sit while bathing, reducing the risk of slips and falls. Make sure your chair or bench has non-slip feet – you want it to stay put when you’re transferring.
Consider Elevated Toilet Seats or Lifts
Elevated seats can make it easier for people with mobility issues to sit down and stand up safely. Toilet lifts can give a person a little extra help getting up and down. We recommend these from Dignity Lifts.
Use Security Poles in Places Where Grab Bars Aren't Possible
Since security poles mount using tension between the floor and ceiling, they can be particularly helpful in bathrooms in spots where there is no wall. Place them virtually anywhere you need a little extra balance.
This example in the photo is placed so it reaches both the toilet and the bathtub. The handle can be rotated and then locked into place in almost any direction.
Other Miscellaneous Tips:
- Reorganize – Store frequently used items like soap, shampoo, and towels within easy reach so you don’t have to bend or stretch. Bending and stretching can lead to a loss of balance and, ultimately, a fall.
- Don’t neglect cleaning – Especially in showers and tubs, soap scum can build up and make things more slippery than usual.
- Keep surfaces as dry as possible – Don’t leave wet floors outside of the tub. They could still be wet the next time you or someone else enters the bathroom, and a fall could result.
Making your bathroom safer doesn’t have to be a complicated thing. Even if you aren’t in an immediate position to make all of the changes we mentioned in this article, start by making the ones you can. If you need help, give us a call. We’d be thrilled to be a part of helping prevent falls in your home.
Get Your Free Quote!
Complete this form or call 810-213-6377.
What Happens When You Complete a Form?
You can also find more information on our grab bars page.
