Did you know? January is National Bath Safety Month! Although your bathroom is a place that you probably don’t view as dangerous, the truth is that many accidents happen in this part of the home – particularly for children and aging adults. In fact, sources such as the Nationwide Children’s Hospital report that each year, more than 43,000 children undergo emergency treatment due to bathtub and shower related accidents.
With that said, we wanted to join in on this monthly observance and share a few ways that you can begin to make your bath safer for those in your home; take a look at what we’ve come up with below.
Be Present
If you have young children at home, don’t leave them unattended while in the tub, especially if they are 4 years of age or younger. Even if you are confident that they can keep themselves safe, you should always monitor their activity since a water-related accident can happen at any time.
Add Grab Bars
Grab bars are an excellent addition to any bathroom for both children and older adults, since they can help keep them on their feet and prevent slips and falls. It’s especially helpful to have a grab bar accessible in the tub or right outside of it so that it can easily be reached when stepping in and out of the bath or shower.
Know Your Surroundings
Bathroom accidents don’t just happen when the floor is slippery, they can also happen if certain items aren’t tucked away properly. For example, store sharp razors in a cabinet out of your children’s reach so that they aren’t encouraged to touch them when taking care of business. Similarly, make sure that all cords connected to hair dryers and other bathroom accessories are off the floor so that children, yourself and any seniors in your home don’t accidentally trip.
Now that you know our recommendations, what do you suggest doing to make sure that all bathrooms are safe for those who use them? Be sure to share your ideas with us on our Facebook page!
Barker and Sons Plumbing & Rooter is a plumbing company in Orange County that is fully family owned and operated. Services range from sump pumps to tubs and showers, leak repairs, and drain and sewer cleaning and repairs. For more information, please call 714.630.8766.
