Patient Safety

Bathroom Safety: Preventing Fall and Injuries

It turns out that slippery surfaces can be dangerous!! Our bathtubs can be a treacherous place to navigate if we don’t do it safely. Sometimes we ignore that our bathrooms are full of porcelain and ceramic tiles that, when exposed to soapy water, might as well be an ice-skating rink. 

Having a healthy respect for your bathtub aids for seniors can go a long way to preventing any fall and serious injury. 

How dangerous are bathroom falls and injuries? 

When we think about falls and injuries, very often, we overlook the biggest culprit: our bathtub and bathroom.  

According to the CDC, approximately two-thirds of accidental injuries occur in the bathtub, shower, or even the toilet. These nonfatal falls tallied 234,094 in 2008. The CDC states that these injuries tend to increase as our age increases, so it’s important to recognize any potential hazard in the bathroom.  

The biggest issue, potentially, is getting in and out of the bathtub, whether from a shower or a bath. In 2013 the CDC reports that falls have a direct medical cost of $50 billion (adjusted for inflation). The CDC report identifies hip fractures and head injuries as the type of injury that falls in the bathroom can create.  

While these injuries may be more devastating for older people, young people can also be affected and should take care in the bathroom. 

Bath safety: How to prevent injuries in the bathroom 

While we think of our bathrooms as innocuous, safe rooms we need to identify where these dangerous areas are lurking.  

1. Bath Mats 

Most of our bathrooms have a tile floor which, when wet, can become particularly slippery. The use of bathmats can help us get in and out in a safe manner. 

• The Drive Bath Mat is ideally suited for exiting the bathtub. This bathroom safety aid dries in minutes, minimizing the risk of mold or mildew and its antiskid back keeps it from moving on the bathroom floor. 
• Entering, standing, or exiting the bathtub might be the most obvious areas for footing problems, let’s not forget about the toilet. Dodgy or wobbly footing can be an issue while standing up from the toilet. Especially in the summer when the air on the outside of the toilet tank can be warm causing condensation to form and drip on the floor creating a hazardous condition.  

2. Safety bars and Rails 

When you think of falls, the most common thing that comes to mind is our feet slipping out from underneath us. While this is true, we can minimize any slip or fall by making sure that we have a firm grasp on something with our hands. By mounting bath safety bars and rails, we can create a safe environment by allowing more than one point of contact to something sturdy. 

• To provide extra security for entering or exiting the tub or standing up from the toilet, the Guardian Deluxe Tub Grab Bar provides safety and support in and around the bathtub. The clamp design, including the stainless-steel component, stays secure after repeated use. Its patented step-through design provides an unobstructed entry and exit path, allowing better hand positioning. Bi-level hand grip for maximum flexibility and safety. 
• One of the more dangerous places in the bathroom is the edge of the bathtub. To enter or exit requires one leg to be lifted and over leaving only one leg to support the bather. Using a bath rail allows them to maintain three points of contact (two hands and one leg) and safely enter or exit the bathtub. 
• For those that might need a little extra added security the Swivelling Suction Tub and Shower Bar provides two gripping surfaces so the user can get a good grip from any direction. 

3. Raised Toilet Seats  

Many people need assistance lowering themselves onto the toilet or standing up from it. Believe it or not, many falls happen in and around the commode. The use of raised toilet seats can give extra support and safety to commode users. 

• The Essential Medical Toilet Seat Riser with Removable Arms mounts easily and securely while providing stability for those who have difficulty sitting and standing. Feel free to take it with you when you are traveling since it is lightweight and portable!! 
• Many people might need a safety commode chairs that can be adaptable. The Guardian 3-in-1 Elongated Steel Folding Bedside Commode fits that bill. It can be used as a stand-alone commode with drop arms for simple transfers or can be placed over existing toilets to provide sturdy armrests to help with seating and standing. 
• When searching for products to assist with sitting and standing on the commode, it’s important to find products that are adjustable.  

The bathroom can be a dangerous place, but with a little forethought and common sense we can make it a place of safety and security.