How safe is your bathroom:

Speeding around in the bathroom each morning getting ready for work could be hazardous to your health. A combination of water, moisture, ceramic tile, and bare feet and you have the makings for an accident. Slip and falls in bathtubs and showers is one of the biggest areas of injury in the home. Below I have listed a number of things you can do to lessen the chance for a fall. I have also listed other areas of precaution that can be taken. If you are visiting a elderly friend or relative this holiday season check their bathroom to see if any of these conditions exist. Having grab bars installed in the tub or shower area could be a great holiday gift.

1. Make sure that all bathroom rugs have a non-skid backing. Rugs that are designed for baths have a rubber type backing that will stay in place on ceramic and linoleum. Your aunt Nelly rug might look nice in the bathroom but does it have a non-skid back.

2. Mount non-skid strips on the bathtub and shower floor. Make sure the surface is clean before sticking strips to floor surface. You can buy these stick on in different designs like fish, shells and etc.

3. Install grab bars on the walls in the shower and tub areas. Make sure the grab bar is properly mounted into a stud behind the shower or tub wall for better support. Manufacturers are now making grab bar that are decorative and match other bath fixtures.

4. Make sure the sink and counter tops areas are free of any glass objects. Vases, drinking glasses and glass containers could fall and break on the ceramic floor cutting your feet. Use plastic or paper cup products instead.

5. Make sure all mirrors are properly secured to the walls. Bathroom humidity could over time corrode metal clips allowing the mirror to possibly fall on you or on the floor.

6. Check to see if you have Ground Fault Circuit interrupters (GFCI). These are electrical receptacles that are supersensitive to surges of electricity. When you are using appliances like hair dryers and shavers it limits your potential to electrical shock and injury. Your electrical contractor can install these for you. Make sure you check with your local municipality for proper codes and guidelines before installation.

7. Save your bare feet by making sure to repair or remove all sharp objects at floor level. Repair or replace rusty heat registers, broken marble thresholds, chipped ceramic tile, and etc.

Written by Don Booth

1998 Booth Group, Ltd.