Bathroom Safety Tips from Inspect-It 1st

Bathroom safety is a challenge in many homes. This room is often overlooked when it comes to safety measures, but it can be one of the most dangerous places in the house. In fact, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year about 235,000 people over age 15 visit emergency rooms because of injuries suffered in the bathroom. What do you know when it comes to bathroom safety in your home? Inspect-It 1st has collected 8 bathroom safety tips that can be implemented to protect you and your family from hazards in the bathroom.

1. Use anti-slip rugs on the floors. When wet, these surfaces can be extremely slippery. Putting down pads and rugs will help prevent this. Bonus: Get a memory foam rug for extra cushioning and comfort on your toes!
2. Use anti-slip mats in the bathtub or shower. It’s also important to make sure soap scum doesn’t build up in the tub to keep it from getting too slippery as well. Be sure to keep the tub clean to counteract slippery soap scum or mold.
3. Clean your bathtub or shower frequently to remove mold or mildew. These are not only allergens, but also can cause stains and damage to the infrastructure of your bathroom.
4. Install grab bars or rails in bathtub, shower and around the toilet. These are perfect for stability and can help if someone begins to slip.
5. Use night lights and other lighting to illuminate the room during the day and night. Evening trips to the bathroom should be illuminated to avoid falls.
6. Install electrical outlets with a ground-fault circuit interrupter to prevent surges and shocks. All outlets should be safely out of contact with water as well for obvious reasons. Bonus: Insert shock guards when outlets aren’t in use, especially when children are around.
7. Lock the medicine cabinet. If you don’t have a locking cabinet, use childproof locks or request childproof medicine bottles to prevent accidental poisoning.
8. Know your water temperature. Use a thermometer, and make sure the temperature doesn’t exceed 140º F. Temperatures above this marker can burn skin. (The same goes for pets, too!) Bonus: Lower your utility bill by reducing the temperature of your water heater to 120º F. This uses less energy and prevents scalding hot water from even reaching the bathtub or shower.  

The bathroom is filled with potential hazards, especially when water is involved. These simple bathroom safety recommendations can help protect both you and your family. Consider each of the suggestions above and evaluate your bathroom accordingly.