Avoid Slips, Trips and Falls in the Bathroom

From 2009 to 2012, emergency rooms across the United States treated more bathroom injuries than chainsaw, ATV and lawnmower injuries combined. Each year, bathroom injuries send an estimated average of 400,000 people to the ER, according to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System.

The National Safety Council is dedicating the second week of June – National Safety Month – to stopping slips, trips and falls. So here are some bathroom safety tips to help keep you securely on your feet:

Don’t Slip on the Bathroom Floor

• Keep the floor free of clutter and clean up any puddles of water or condensation.
• Use rugs with rubber backing or place nonslip pads or double-sided rug tape under rugs.
• Ensure the room is well-lit and keep a nightlight plugged in for late-night visits.
• Remodeling? Install small, textured tile instead of smooth linoleum or large tile – the added grout and texture provide more traction.

Don’t Trip Getting In/Out of the Shower/Tub

• Keep a tight hold on the grab bars as you step over the threshold of the shower/tub.
• Better yet, sit down on the edge of the tub, hold on to something steady and carefully swing your legs around in order to lower yourself into the tub.
• Remodeling? Choose a shower/tub with a low threshold that you can get in/out of without losing your balance.

Don’t Fall While Bathing

• Place nonslip decals on the bottom of the shower/tub.
• Keep bath products at knee-height or higher so you don’t have to bend too low and risk losing your footing to pick them up.
• Remodeling? Choose a shower/tub with a bench inside and a handheld showerhead so you can sit down comfortably while bathing.

Of course, no matter how conscious you are of preventing slips, trips and falls in the bathroom, accidents and injuries are still going to occur. When they do, be sure to seek the appropriate medical treatment and correct any bathroom safety issues that contributed to the accident.

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