You cannot eliminate the risk entirely, but you can make your bathroom a little bit safer.

Install adequate grip

In a room where there is splashing water, good traction is must. Do not install slick, glossy tiles on bathroom rooms. Install smaller tiles in the shower, with enough grout. You can also get stone or ceramic tiles that are designed with a little extra grip.

The risk of falling is still there, so it might be wise to get rid of fixtures with sharp edges.

Install grab bars

Installing grab bars in the shower and next to the bathtub is a great idea for everyone. This is especially true for adults of 65 years and older. A bar by the toilet helps anyone who has difficulty standing. You can actually get these in different styles too. If you want to install them later, install the necessary blocking in the wall, and keep a record of the location so that you can add them easily.

Turn down the temperature

Most water heaters are set to 50°C and that temperature can burn delicate skin in seconds. You reduce the risk of burns by setting your water heater to 40 or even 30°C. If you are remodeling, you can install an anti-scald valve for your tub and shower. The valves come in two types which is thermostatic and pressure-balanced.

The thermostatic valves tend to be a bit expensive but they are required for high-volume shower systems. If you cannot open the wall to change the valve, get one to install it between the shower head and the pipe neck.

Lavatory faucets with a motion sensor can prevent scalding because the water temperature is preset to a safe level. This convenient sensor also stops the spread of germs by allowing you to wash your hands without touching the taps.

Another added bonus of these motion-sensing faucets is that there is little risk of an overflow.

Bathe safely

If you are planning on installing a new shower, make sure the controls are easy to reach. This goes for inside and outside of the water stream. You should be able to adjust the temperature before you jump in.

Install a shower bench so that you don’t cut yourself while shaving legs.

If you have glass enclosing the shower, make sure it it shatterproof and the door should open outward. This is a great help if you slip or faint because help can reach you.

If you want to install a new tub, get a platform design. You can enter the tub by sitting on the platform, swinging your legs over and lowering yourself in.

Kids

If you have small children or they visit, lock away cleaning supplies and medications. Install safety devices such toilet locks and tub-spout pads. Never leave a small child unattended in the bath or shower. Injury experts recommend that you don’t use a baby-seat as they do not prevent drowning. Children can drown within minutes in only a few centimeters of water. Their skin is more sensitive than an adult’s and their centre of gravity is higher. This means that children fall over easily, and their faces or heads take the brunt of the impact.

Extra comfort

Many universal design features that make a bath wheelchair-accessible can also make it safer and more relaxing for everyone.

A toilet with about 18 inches seat height means that it is the hight of an average dining chair, which other adults prefer. A hand-held shower with an adjustable height makes it easier to shower if you’re on crutches or seated.

Simple safety measures

Some of the easiest safety measures are related to simple practices and you overall behaviour. You need to wipe up puddles or splashes promptly. Do not leave electrical appliances plugged in or near any water sources. Add traction mats to slippery bathtubs and remove any rug with a tendency to slip or bunch up. It would be best to use rubber-backed bath mats. Also plug in a night-light to guide people during the night.

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The following bathroom safety tips for kids may help you but you might already have an idea of how to protect them. Just like the elderly, they are vulnerable to injuries and it will affect them later on in life.

The simplest way to avoid injuries in the bathroom is to make it inaccessible unless your child is accompanied by an adult. You may install a latch on the door at adult height so that your child can’t get into the bathroom when you aren’t around. Make sure you have a lock on the door that can be unlocked from the outside just in case your child gets locked in from the inside.

The following bathroom safety tips for kids will help you to prevent any injuries while your child is using the bathroom.

Bathroom safety tips for kids:

Bath safety

Children can drown in only a few inches of water, so you should never leave your child unattended, even if it’s just a few seconds. If you really have to answer the door or the phone, wrap your child in a towel and take him or her along with you. Bath seats and rings are basically only bathing aids and they aren’t meant to be used unattended either. Please note that you should also drain the bathtub when you are done.

Water safety

Scalding is a real threat when you bath your child. The hottest temperature coming from your tap, should be no more than 48.9 degrees Celsius. In some cases, you can adjust your hot water heater. Another great thing to get is a mixer tap. This helps you to correct the temperature while you are filling the bathtub. When your child is old enough to use the taps, teach him or her that its better to turn on the cold water first.

Slipping

Who knows of someone who never slipped in the bathroom? Your child might be small but hey, injuries can become fatal. Install non-slip strips or mats on the bottom of the bathtub. Put a cushioned or soft cover over the taps so that your child doesn’t get injured when accidentally bumping into the taps. Always close your toilet lid and try to get a toilet lid lock. A curious toddler who tries to play with the water can lose his or her balance and fall in. You could also close the bathroom door at all times but make sure it is ventilated.

Medicine

Make sure you keep your medicine in containers with safety caps. These caps are merely child-resistant and not childproof. It is always best to store your medicine and cosmetics in a space too high for your child to reach. Do not keep your frequently used items in the same cabinet. Rather have a second cabinet that’s also hard to reach with a safety latch or lock. This prevents your child from accessing the items even when they do reach it.

Electrical appliances

This might not be the case with most households but there are some who use electrical appliances in the bathroom. If you use any appliances such as hair dryers or razors, make sure you unplug them and store them in a cabinet with a safety lock. The safest option is to use them in a room where there is no water. An electrician can install special bathroom wall sockets that can lessen the likelihood of electrical injury when an appliance falls into the sink or bathwater. The problem is that these specialised plugs do not always work an fatal electrocution might take place.

Please consider the above bathroom safety tips for kids so that your child is safe and out of any danger. As you may already know, children are very curious and they tend to let their curiosity get the better of them.

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Those who have slipped in a tub would know the truth. The bathroom is not the safest place is the house. Especially not for the elderly. Please keep in mind that the elderly do have problems with their vision, coordination, balance and they are a bit frail.

When the bathroom area is slippery, it increases the likelihood of an accident. The maneuvering required to shower and bathe requires lots of bending and lifting actions. To us, it might not be a problem but for the elderly, it is. All of the motion can actually raise the risk for a slip and fall. The elderly are at increased risk for death following a fall. So tub and shower safety must always be a priority.

Nowadays you don’t have to renovate your whole bathroom. That’ll cost you an arm and a leg, right? So why don’t you go for a budget-friendly option. In the list below, some of these options will be explained.Unfortunately we can’t provide you with the costs or specific manufacturer.

Bathroom flooring.

• Non-skid mat or coating in the shower to reduce slipping.
• Install a shower seat that is mounted securely.
• Shower doors that are made of safety glass or plastic
• Install grab bars inside the shower and outside the shower for safe exit. Also, install near toilet area for assistance standing and sitting.
• Use a non-glare finish on your bathroom floor or install textured tiles..
• If you want to use carpet, only use low-pile carpet.. Never use a bath mat or throw rug.

Lighting.

• Install ample, non-glare lighting.
• Make sure there is a light in the tub or shower area, too.
• Ensure the light switch is next to the door.
• Place a night light or automatic lighting for safety reasons.

Bathing safety.

• Install a walk-in tub, walk-in shower to help reduce elderly falls.
• Make sure the toilet paper holder is easily reached from a sitting position on the toilet.
• Make sure towels, soap, shampoo, etc. are easily accessible from inside the shower.
• Dry off before you exit the shower to reduce the risk of slipping.

Easier bathroom use.

• Install a lever handled faucet and shower control that is near the entrance of the shower.
• Have a phone installed in the bathroom that is accessible from the toilet and the tub.
• Install a raised toilet

Other bathroom safety tips.

• Install a pressure control and anti-scald controls.
• Keep counters and shelve clear of clutter.
• Bathroom doors should be unlockable from the outside and should open out.
• Install GFCI outlets to protect from shock.

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