Safety Begins at Home
...in the Bathroom
he bathroom is filled with potential hazards because of the presence of water that makes surfaces
slippery. Additionally, medications are often stored in the bathroom. Avoid poisoning by keeping
over-the-counter medications and supplements in closed original containers out of reach of children.
If a family member has mobility limitations, getting in and out of the bathtub or using the toilet can lead to
a fall when proper support is not available. Inadequate lighting can lead to falls or even medication errors. If
appropriate water temperature is not maintained, contact with hot water can contribute to burns.
T
Provide Good Lighting
Inadequate lighting in the bathroom makes personal care tasks more difficult. A poorly lit room can
contribute to falls and errors in reading medication labels. Improve the lighting in your bathroom by
making some simple changes.
¬
Keep a flashlight by the bedside to light the way to the
bathroom.
¬ Install night lights that automatically turn on as the room
Water at 140º F can burn
skin in as little as 5 seconds.
darkens.
Use the maximum wattage bulb that the fixture will safely accommodate.
¬
¬ Avoid glare by using soft white bulbs.
¬ Consider using a glow-in-the-dark door knob cover.
¬ Install illuminating wall switches or switch plates.
¬ Store bathroom chemicals and medicines in original containers out of reach of
children.
Avoid Slips, T
rips and Falls
The bathroom is filled with hard surfaces that can be dangerous. These surfaces can become very slippery
when wet and soapy, creating a safety hazard. Falls in the bathroom are quite common. Minimize the risk
of falling by making safety modifications in the bathroom.
¬
Install grab bars to hold onto when getting into and out of the bathtub or shower, or
off of the toilet.
¬ If you have difficulty getting on and off the toilet, use an elevated toilet seat or
higher toilet.
¬ Purchase a bath chair or bench to eliminate climbing in and out of the
tub.
¬ Install a wall mounted seat or waterproof bath seat if you have
difficulty with prolonged standing in the shower.
¬ Purchase a showerhead that allows you to remove it from the
mount (hand held showerhead).
¬ Use a bathtub sidewall cushion to soften the hard tub edge
and provide a non-slip surface.