Do you know that 90% of accidents that occur in the bathroom are preventable?
Do you know that a few lifestyle adjustments can reduce your chances of an accident in the bathroom?
The bathroom is an area of the home with a high potential for accidents from falls to electrocution. This part of the home must not be ignored. It is even more hazardous as people advance in age. Therefore, we need to be proactive about it. In your mind’s eye, visit your bathroom. What type of floor does it have? Does it have grip and traction? Does it dry fast or retain moisture? How often do you wash the floor to avoid slippery grime? Is there a bath tub? Is there a bath mat available? Is there a mop close by to clean up spills? If you were to fall down in your bathroom today, what are your chances of survival? What would be the level of injury sustained? Does your answer give your satisfaction? Does it make you feel safe? No? Then you have a chance to be proactive.
Tips to make your bathroom safe:
A Functional Design
The first step is to know that beauty is not sufficient. Something might look so beautiful but be a death trap. Therefore when choosing homes, look for bathrooms with functionality and not just beauty. Check the floors, the walls and other bathroom fittings to ensure that the bathroom is indeed safe.
Introduce Floor coverings
One is probably wondering what to do if you already find yourself living in a house with existing poor floor choices in the bathroom. You should introduce floor coverings. If you have the funds, you can rework the floors. For example if the tiles are too smooth, you could change them to slip resistant tiles. Another option is to introduce bath mats in your bathroom. These mats come in different materials and they are slip resistant. It would reduce the likelihood of a fall.
Fix handholds
These are very important because in the case of a slip, you have something to grip. That will be the difference between life and death. It’s always best to be safe than sorry. So, invest in handholds for your bathroom. You never know when you would need it.
Lifestyle adjustments
If you put the above structures in place but do not make necessary adjustments, an accident would still happen. It is therefore important to wash floors regularly to prevent grime from accumulating. Keep electrical appliances away from wet areas: hair dryers, electrical shavers. Ensure your hands are also dry when using electrical appliances. Do not make sudden movements in the bathroom because there is a high potential for injury there. Also, mop up spills as soon as they occur.
What tips do you use to prevent an accident in your bathroom?
