Bathrooms can be hazardous for everyone, especially older adults and young children. Poorly lit areas, slippery floors, or untidy areas can lead to members of your family suffering falls that can result in severe injuries. Fortunately, it is easy to make these spaces safer. Here are five ways to improve safety in your bathroom.
Invest in Grab Bars
You can prevent falls by installing durable grab bars near your toilet, bathtub, or shower. These will allow your family members to maintain balance and move around safely. Choose sturdy, easy-to-grip bars that can support the full weight of the person using them, and consult a professional to ensure proper installation.
Add Floor Mats
Your bathroom is one of the best places to put floor mats in your home, thanks to their ability to make entering and exiting your bathtub safer and reduce your chances of falling. Consider placing non-slip floor mats both in and outside your bath or shower area and near the sink. Make sure you wash and add new mats when needed so that the space stays safe and hygienic.
Ensure Items Are Easy To Grab
Ensuring you have commonly used items, such as toiletries and towels, within easy reach is another way you can improve safety in your bathroom. Organize your space so that individuals don’t strain or bend over excessively to access their necessities.
This may involve rearranging shelves, adding hooks for towels, or investing in a shower caddy for convenience. Having everything easily accessible minimizes the risk of accidents caused by overreaching or losing balance.
Keep Your Floors Clean
Keeping your bathroom floors clean and dry is crucial to reducing accidents. Be vigilant about wiping up spills and excess water immediately. Regularly clean your bathroom using appropriate cleaning agents to remove soap scum, mold, and mildew. You can also encourage family members to adopt practices such as hanging wet towels, closing shower curtains, and using exhaust fans to reduce humidity.
Buy a Night-Light
Having a night-light in your bathroom can help prevent accidents caused by poor visibility when navigating in the dark. Look for energy-efficient, low-wattage options that provide enough illumination to safely find your way around the room. Consider a night-light with a motion-sensing function or a plug-in model that turns on automatically when other lights are off.
These five simple tips can help create a safer environment for everyone in your home. Instead of waiting for accidents to happen, take proactive steps to improve bathroom safety and ensure the well-being of your loved ones.
