The most Dangerous Room in the House

One of the most frequent questions we receive is “How can I prevent a fall?” (Or another fall) This article explores important safety aspects of bathrooms.

According to a research report by the Home Safety Council, preventable home injuries are the fifth largest cause of death in the U.S., and safety researchers point to the bathroom as one of the most dangerous zones in the house.

Here are five threats that often trip up (sometimes literally) the unwary:

1. Water, water everywhere - It’s the water—in the sink, tub, and shower —that is the number-one danger in the bathroom. The reality is, water doesn't always stay where it should. Poorly fitting shower curtains and simple wet feet are two of the biggest causes of water winding up on the bathroom floor. The ideal shower has a shatterproof glass door, rather than a curtain. Failing that, you can minimize leaks by hanging a curtain liner that falls inside the tub and a second, decorative curtain that falls outside. To stop slips place strips of adhesive nonslip decals on the shower or bathtub floor. Keep a nonskid rug on the floor next to the shower/bath exit and in front of the sink. Basic scatter rugs are themselves a tripping hazard; look for ones made to absorb moisture and stay in place on the floor.  The memory foam rugs sold in all bath shops are both comfortable as well as slip proof.

2. Slick tub or shower bed - We use lots of products in the shower and bath.  These can present safety issues.  All bath products collect as residue on the sides and floor, making them slippery. Soapy buildup should be cleaned off regularly. Giving the shower or tub a quick wipe down with a washcloth after each use helps minimize slickness. A strong adult may be able to withstand the residue, but someone with balance problems, such as a frail older adult, can slip just enough to lead to a fall. Be sure, too, to install well-anchored grab bars wherever slips are likely.

3. Bright white surfaces - A pristine white bathroom might look great, but the combination of lights, white surfaces, and reflective surfaces (such as mirrors and chrome) can be disorienting. The glare can even be blinding to someone with less-than-perfect vision, as is the case with many older adults. What's more, all that brightness can mask standing water on the floor, increasing the risk of slipping.

4. A space heater - People trying to save on heating bills or attempting to keep a bathroom warm for an older adult often use an electric space heater in this room. Like any electric appliance in a room where there is so much water, space heaters are a potential risk for electrocution. An additional danger is someone slipping into the device and burning himself or herself. If keeping warm is a problem, install a permanently wired heating system just in the bathroom. Another tip is to fluff towels and a cotton robe in the dryer during the bath, so they're warm and ready when the person comes out of the water.

5. Shattered shower door - Glass shower doors became popular in the 1980s as an alternative to vinyl shower curtains. Most of the time, they work fine. But they've been known to shatter if someone falls hard into the door because of a slip. Because most doors are made of tempered glass, they tend to instantly break into many small pieces rather than larger jagged ones. This is less likely to cause a bad cut, but it can nevertheless seriously injure a frail older adult who then falls onto the glass bits. You don't have to give up on glass. Just let family members know not to use the towel racks sometimes installed along such doors for support, which can stress them. Instead, install well-anchored shower grab bars into the walls of the shower. Regularly check older shower doors for cracks, chips, or the glass rubbing against metal. Some repairmen say frosted glass shatters more often than clear, although there's no safety data on this. If a glass door or even a mirror does break, the safe thing to do is throw a large towel over the shards so you can more safely exit. ■

Excerpted from http://www.caring.com/articles/killers-lurking-in-bathroom