How to Design the Safest Bathroom for Everyone in Your Home
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), thousands of injuries occur in the bathroom every year, making this one of the most dangerous areas of the home. A majority of bathroom injuries are caused by falls and in the shower or tub. These types of injuries are most common among young children and elderly adults, but they can happen to anyone who is distracted, in a hurry, or simply loses balance.
To help you keep everyone in your household safe in the bathroom, as well as your guests, here are some tips for designing the safest possible bathroom.
Install Guard Rails in the Shower and Tub
Since the shower and tub present substantial risks for even the most agile people, begin your bathroom safety design with guard rails in the shower and tub. Simple and easy-to-grip bars here help bathers safely navigate wet and slippery floors without detracting from the aesthetics of your bathroom décor.
Install Grab Bars by the Toilet
Another great place to install bars in the bathroom is on either side of the toilet. Grab bars placed here make it easier to sit down and stand up, thereby preventing falls in this part of the bathroom.
Place No-Slip Grips Shower and Tub Floors
It is also a good idea to add no-slip grips to the floor of your shower or tub to further prevent slip-and-fall accidents. You can use adhesive grips or a mat with suction cups to make this surface less slippery.
Get a Weighted Shower Curtain
Certain types of shower have a tendency to leak out onto the bathroom floor, making slip-and-fall accidents more likely. Buy a weighted shower curtain instead of the most basic versions because the weights keep the curtain in place better, thereby reducing the amount of water spillage out onto the floor.
Add a Bench Inside or Outside the Shower
In-shower benches aren’t just for people with disabilities. In fact, having a bench inside the shower to sit down can provide a much safer and more relaxing shower experience for everyone. It also helps to have an adjustable hand-held showerhead with this type of shower. If now isn’t the right time to remodel your shower, you can still make your bathroom safer by placing a sturdy bench outside of the shower for sitting to get dressed, undressed, and dry off.
Add Non-Slip Backings to Rugs
It’s always nice to step out of the shower or tub onto a warm and cozy rug, but make sure that rug has no-slip backings to prevent falls. Use double-sided tape or tacks to secure your favorite rug to the bathroom floor.
Check the Water Heater Temperature
People who have certain medical conditions or suffer from nerve damage may not realize that water in the shower or bathtub is too hot. Check the temperature of your water heater to ensure that is no higher than 120 degrees.
Provide Adequate Bathroom Lighting
A dimly lit bathroom can be a recipe for disaster because slips and falls are more likely in dark spaces. Make sure to install lights in strategic places throughout the bathroom, including over the sink, in the shower, and in walkways
Store Appliances Away from Wet Surfaces
Homeowners with small bathrooms often find it difficult to store away electrical appliances in a safe place. But this is an important practice because bathroom surfaces are often wet and water is an electrical conductor. Make sure to store hair dryers, curling irons, electric razors, electric toothbrushes, and other electric bathroom devices in a drawer or cupboard to avoid potential electrocution.
Central Plumbing Specializes offers a wide selection of safe, efficient, and beautiful bathroom fixtures to keep your family protected with each trip to the bathroom. Browse our website to learn more about our product offerings, or stop by one of our New York showrooms today!