January is national bath safety awareness month

Being in the business of Safety is an eye opening experience.  Most hazards can be controlled if you are willing to acknowledge they exist. Please take a few minutes to read through these safety tips for a safe and happy day! 

January is recognized as National Bath Safety Month. Yikes! 370 people injured each day in U.S. bathrooms!  Water and smooth surfaces can together convert the bath into a risky place. The most frequented room of the house, bathroom, is believed to be the most dangerous too. Bath safety is an integral part of general home safety. A study points that one-third of falls occurring at homes occur in the bath.

A report submitted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission sites that, in the United States, an average of 370 people (across all age groups), suffer bathtub or shower-related injuries every day. Slips, falls and hot-water burns are accounted as the prime reasons for accident in the bath. It is the second leading cause of accidental death and disability.

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 bathroom.
• 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