Bathroom Safety for the Elderly

One of the most potentially dangerous places in your home is the Bathroom Safety . In fact, more than 230,000 bathroom-injuries occur each year. Adults over age 65 and children under age 4 are the most likely victims, but they’re not alone.

Here’s more:

• More than a third of bathroom injuries are caused by lips and falls in the tub or shower
• More than 14 percent of injuries are sustained while using the toilet.
• While injuries increase with age, injuries around the tub are most common among those 15 to 24 years of age. Alcohol is sometimes a contributing factor.
• Women are 72% more prone to bathroom injuries than men.
• Injuries near the bathtub or shower account for more than two-thirds of all emergency room visits.

As you can see, bathroom safety is a serious issue. But the risk of injury can be greatly reduced by following these bathroom safety tips:

1. Make your bathroom a no-slip zone.
   

   Place non-slip strips or a mat on your tub or shower floor. It’s also a good idea to place non-slip rugs outside the tub or shower to prevent the floor from getting wet…another safety hazard. Slips and falls also can be minimized by installing grab bars in the shower and near the toilet.

2. Protect your family from water hazards.

   Drowning is a hazard that knows no age limits or any other barriers, even though small children are especially at risk. So, rule number one is never leave a small child alone in the tub for any length of time, as drowning can occur in as little as one inch of water.

3. Prevent scalding in the shower.
   By installing an anti-scald shower heads, you can prevent accidental scalding which often cause a person to lose their balance which, in turn, can cause an injury.

4. Eliminate shock value.
   To minimize the risk of electric shock, replace all old bathroom outlets with ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets. These are designed for use anywhere water can come in contact with electricity, including your bathroom.

5. Increase comfort and safety.
    There are a variety of helpful products that will dramatically reduce the risks of bathroom injury, especially for seniors. A comfort height toilet makes it easier to get down and back up again. Walk-in tubs represent the height of luxurious bathing with no high steps required. Plus, hand-held shower heads provide convenient control of water flow and temperature.

At Norhio Plumbing, we have even more ideas on how to make your bathroom safer for all family members. More than that, we have the skill and experience to put them into effect. Contact us today to schedule a free in-home consultation and bathroom safety proposal.