Bath Safety

All family members, despite their age or health are at risk. Bath safety products play a vital role in ensuring the safety of a person while in the bath. People with limited mobility need to be extra cautious when it comes to bath safety; in the bathtub; shower and toilet. These areas of the bath should be tailored to suit individual requirements.

Bath safety 

To ensure bath safety, identify the following:

• Areas that are very slippery
• Look out for areas that are difficult to move about
• Identify areas that pose a threat
• Check if you have any fixtures in the bath that are difficult to reach, use or clean.

Bath safety can be split into two parts:

• Bath safety procedures
• Bath safety equipment/products and facilities like modified bathtubs, showers and toilets.

Follow these safety tips to prevent accidents in your bath:

• Use anti skid flooring material in the bath.
• Keep the floor clean and dry.
• Avoid obstacles in the floor plan thus ensuring free movement in the area.
• Install grab bars inside the bathtub and shower.
• Use non-slip strips in your tub or shower.
• Select impact-resistant shower and bathtub attachments.
• Put a bath mat with non-skid base next to the bathtub and shower.
• Install scald-prevention devices, these devices will keep a check on the water temperature.
• Electrical switches and plugs should always be kept away from water sources.
• Make sure all electrical outlets have ground fault circuit interrupters.
• Use door locks that can be unlocked from both sides.

Bath safety for seniors

Bath safety is of vital importance for older persons. Over 75% of slip-fall deaths happen to people who are 65 years and above. The bath area of the house can prove to be extremely hazardous for elderly people if it is not modified to suit their requirements. Bath safety for people who are elderly or have disabilities is further complicated by issues such as medication side-effects, reduced physical ability and diminished vision.

Bath safety tips for seniors

Transfer bench: A transfer bench with adjustable legs is useful for elderly people. They have to sit on the portion of the transfer bench that extends outward and slide into the tub.

Bath mat: Latex coated or non-skid bath mat can be placed alongside the tub, this will provide firm footing. Non-slip suction mats or rubber silicone treads fit to the tub will prevent falls.

Shower head: A portable, hand-held shower head is convenient for use.

Grab bar for use while in tub: An angle bar fixed to two walls offers support while standing to shower and for sitting and getting up in the bathtub.

Grab bars for moving around: For elderly people grab bars should be mounted on walls around the tub. Grab bars around the bathtub are required for the safety of older persons.

• A vertically placed U bar, fixed to the side wall at the base of the tub, ensures safe entry and exit.
• Horizontally placed support bars are appropriate for lowering or raising the body in the tub.
• Diagonally placed grab bars are not suggested as the hand may slip thus increasing the chances of a fall.

Tub Seats: Numerous types of portable seats, chairs, and benches are available for people who find it difficult to sit on the bathtub floor. Inside-the-tub chairs with back support offer great comfort.

Shower chair: Chairs with backs that can be placed inside the tub are available in the market; these chairs give the bather a comfortable feel while in the shower. Be sure to check for non-slip rubber tips on the legs of the chair or bench as they provide ample safety.

Bath lifts: Mechanical bath lifts can help in lowering the person into the bathtub.

Some elderly people might have reduced feeling in their hands, and thus they may misjudge the water temperature. A bathing thermometer or plastic water monitor will help them to check the right water temperature before they step into the bathtub.

Bath safety products

There are quite a few bath safety products that are essential in a bath, listed below are a few necessary products that ensure safety in the bath.

Grab Bars: Safe hand-holds fixed on bathroom walls and sides of walk-in tubs will ensure safety while you move about the bath. Grab bars are also known as safety bars

Shower Stools: Safe seat in the shower prevents slipping

Security Rails: Handy hand-hold that is fastened on the bathtub sides

Bathtub Transfer Seats: Makes it safe to enter and leave the tub

Transfer bench: Ensures safety while getting in and out of the bathtub.

Walk-in bathtubs: A type of accessible tub which is easy to access since you need not climb over the edge of the tub to get in and out. You just have to 'walk-in' through the water tight door of the tub, sit on the raised seat and fill up the tub with water. The raised seat in this bathtub is perfect for people who have trouble sitting down in the tub. Few versions of raised bathtub seats have back rests.

Hand held showers: Handy devices such as handheld showers can ensure additional safety in the bathtub. These showers are mounted on the wall and can be used for seated washing.