For many homeowners, the bathroom is their relaxation area; after all, it’s the place where you can soak in a warm tub or relax your muscles in a hot shower. As relaxing as the bathroom may be, it is also one of the most dangerous rooms in your home, especially when it comes to falls. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control, about 235,000 people aged 15 and over end up in the emergency room as a result of accidents and injuries that occurred in the bathroom and the number of injuries increase for the elderly. The good news is there are a number of ways to make sure your bathroom is safe for everyone. Here are just a few tips on how to prevent falls and make your bathroom safer.

Appropriate Lighting

Whether you have a tub/shower combination or a shower only, providing plenty of lighting is the first step in fall prevention. Light switches should be easily accessible, and the bulbs should be bright, but without producing a glare; consider LED bulbs that gradually brighten the longer the light is on. It is also helpful to install lighting under the medicine cabinet that can be left on for those midnight trips to the bathroom. Also, make sure to have night lights installed in dark hallways, especially on the hallway wall between the bedroom and bathroom.

Extra Precautions

There is a wide array of inexpensive, DIY installation accessories that can provide a great deal of safety in the bathroom. For example, installing grab bars in the shower and in front of the toilet will go a long way in preventing falls of elderly residents in your home. Shower seats are also inexpensive and don’t require any permanent installation. Non-slip flooring is the best solution to avoid the risk of slips and falls, but if a new floor is out of your budget, consider installing slip-resistant tape on the floor in front of the tub/shower, and it is important to keep the bathroom floor free from any clutter.

Choosing the Right Rugs

Throw rugs are a great way to add color to your bathroom and they can be helpful in preventing slips and falls when stepping out of the shower. However, it is important to choose the correct type of rug for the bathroom. Bathroom rugs should be:

• Washable
• The correct size; a rug that is too large or too small can be easy to trip over, so make sure only to use throw rugs that fit correctly in front of the tub or sink.
• Only use rugs that have a non-slip backing

One of the easiest things that you can do to ensure the bathroom is safe doesn’t cost anything; prevent burns by making sure the water heater is turned to a safe temperature, which is typically at 120 degrees. Be sure to wipe up all spills as soon as they occur to prevent slipping and do not keep any electrical appliances plugged in next to a water source. If you are remodeling or building new, consider a walk-in shower, especially if there are seniors in your home.

DeSola Glass, Art & Frame Gallery has a wide range of products that go a long way in improving the look and safety of your bathroom. Contact us today to get started!