Last week, we highlighted the fact that November is Fall Prevention Month. Now, it should probably go without saying that every month of the year is a good time to work on preventing falls. But since the winter season is practically here already, the chances of slipping and falling on icy surfaces have clearly increased.
Obviously, you can fall inside of your home too. And there’s likely no place you’re more likely to slip and fall than your bathroom. With that said, why don’t we take a look at some of the top ways to reduce the risk of falling in the bathroom?
Keep slippery floors and surfaces dry.
The tiles that adorn your bathroom floor are slippery enough as they are without having water spilled all over them. So adhere to this very strict rule: always keep the floor dry! After a shower, you’re bound to have droplets of water hit the floor. Even the smallest amount of water can create a slippery little pool that can cause you to lose your footing. Be mindful of your bathroom’s moisture content and be diligent about wiping up wetness on the floor.
“Be cautious of the dangers that come with wet floors, especially when you can’t always tell that a floor is wet,” warns Erica Garland on ModernBathroom.com, “Hang towels near bathing areas and place racks for hand towels within arm’s reach of the sink to minimize spread of water. Buying weighted shower curtains can also keep floors dry by helping contain water to your bathtub.”
Place non-slip mats on the floor.
This is a tip we’ve given out on a number of occasions. The first reason is because it’s one of the simplest solutions to slippery surfaces. Do away with bathroom rugs that aren’t affixed to the tiles. They constantly slide, causing tripping hazards for you and all of your loved ones. Be sure to replace them with non-slip mats or bath rugs that have rubber backings.
“Bath rugs with rubber backing can provide traction in the bathroom, as can nonslip mats placed on the floor of the bathtub or shower enclosure,” affirms BostonHerald.com, “Water-resistant flooring made from recycled rubber is another option. It is softer, less slippery and more forgiving than traditional tile flooring.”
Take advantage of transfer benches.
“These types of benches are mostly used for seniors who have a shower inside the bathtub AND for seniors who may have a difficult time walking in to the shower,” explains Esther Kane on SeniorSafetyAdvice.com, “Transfer benches are much longer so that they can fit over the lip of the shower or bathtub and they are not as stylish and decorative as shower benches.”
Transfer benches are just one of the many high-quality bathroom accessibility devices offered by Advantage Home Health Solutions. We also offer grab bars, bathroom super poles, bath chairs, bath lifts, walk-in tubs and slide-in tubs among other solutions that help to make your bathroom a much safer place.
For more information about our bathroom accessibility devices, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
