For people who suffer from mobility issues, the bathroom is
often the most dangerous room in the house. With so many slippery surfaces and
fixtures that splash water around, there are many potential hazards in the
standard bathroom. With the help of some of these handy tips however, you can
create a bathroom that is much safer and simpler to navigate around no matter
what restrictions you may have.
Bathroom Access
Getting in and out of the bathroom needn’t be a stressful
task, so be sure the path to the room is clear and has no obstacles such as
shoes or laundry baskets on the floor. It may be the case that the user cannot
bend to move objects from their path, so all walkways should be left clear and
tidy for them, allowing them to access the bathroom when and if they should
want to. Adding a battery powered ‘push light’ to the wall at waist height can
help with late night bathroom breaks, eliminating the need to stretch and
search for a light switch or cord.
If the user requires a wheelchair then extra space and the
width of the doorway must be made to suit their needs; if the doorway is too
narrow it may be worth refitting the frame to leave more space. Finally, look
at the door saddle at the floor of the door way; the ½ inch raise from the
ground may seem like nothing, but for someone using a walker or cane, this
could cause trips or falls. If you cannot remove the saddle, advise them to
sidestep the saddle to cross the doorway safely.
More information on
sidestepping is available from your registered G.P.
Non-Slip Surfaces
As mentioned above, slipping is one of the biggest risks
when it comes to bathroom safety, so taking some steps to prevent accidents is
highly recommendable. Make sure you add non-slip surfaces with a rubberised
back on both the inside of the bathtub and on the bathroom floor. Soft, fluffy
floor mats may look nice and feel nice to stand on, but often come without a
rubberized back which grips to the floor; this can easily slip from under the
feet of the user and cause an accident, so be sure to check the back of each
mat. Bathtubs require a more waterproof solution; rubber bathmats are available
with ‘sucker pods’ which can be pressed down in the bath in order to
effectively cling and grip.
Grab Bars
Adding a grab bar to the side of bath and shower areas is a
great way to offer extra support when the user is getting in and out of the
bath or shower. They can be mounted anywhere and make a huge difference in both
support and balance. If the user is currently in the habit of using the towel rail
for extra support when entering and exiting their bath, it is highly advisable
you add a grab bar; grabbing the towel rails is very unsafe, and could lead to
unfortunate accidents.
Creating a bathroom which offers a safe experience for users
is a great way to reduce risks and ensure they can access the room with
independence.
This article was written by Alexandra, an experienced
blogger on the aspect of bathroom hygiene and safety on behalf of Bathshop321
who provide an excellent range of cloakroom suites at excellent prices!