Is
your bathroom a safe place or is it hiding some potential dangers?
The
idea of slipping in the tub or shower haunts many of us and we always
take extra care when entering or exiting for bathing. But, the bathroom
holds plenty of other obstacles that can create an environment for potential
dangers.
Light and Bright
While your personal taste may lean toward dramatic and moody, it's a
fact that lighter colors are safer in a bathroom. Not only are those
whiter shades going to provide assistance to the existing lighting,
objects are easier to find. No stepping on sharp little earring backs
- you should be able to find them quickly.
Backups for non-skid
tubs and showers
Sure,
the tub and shower have built-in non-skid surfaces, but how about when
the shampoo and soap go cascading to the floor as you're showering?
Oops - now it's a little slippery. This is, of course, one of the most
dangerous areas of the bathroom. Don't take chances. Purchase an inexpensive
pack of adhesive skids and apply them before it's too late. Check out
the guest shower as well.
Get a Grip
Have you
tested the gripper bars? Do they slide around in their mountings or
plop out when pulled on? Yes, in real life, many of them are for show.
Plus, some are acrylic and are that much slicker when a wet hand is
trying to grab onto something. It's easy enough to glue on a rubberized,
textured handle that will also be resistant to mold and mildew.
You can also add
extra gripper bars just outside the tub; they're a great aid when stepping
out, but there is one caveat. Make sure there are wall studs available
for mounting. Otherwise, the bars will simply pull out along with a
good chunk of wall. You typically wanted a weight rating of 300 pounds.
Shower Power
If your
shower door opens inward, it is definitely time to look at replacement.
Should an individual fall inside, you would find it very hard to get
the door open. Also, latches are a big no-no. Another impossible obstacle
in a panic.
Space Counts
If your
bathroom is small and you're constantly bumping into things such as
towel racks and tissue holders, it's time to invest in some new fixtures.
Recessed toilet tissue holders will make a big difference in maneuverability,
especially if this area is separated from the rest of the bathroom.
Purchase circular fittings - the kind that are used for decorative hand
towels - and replace the racks. The flatter profile may prevent a few
bumps and bruises as well.
Slippery Suckers
If you
have a tile floor, you'll certainly want to utilize small bath rugs,
although these are tripping hazards. Make sure the bottom side is slip-resistant.
And wash them frequently to prevent bacterial growth.
Electrical Evils
Electricity and water - two evil connections. Test your bathroom
outlets once a month; if the GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter)
fails, call an electrician pronto. Oh, your outlets don't have those
little reset buttons? Call an electrician and tell him or her that you
have a real problem.
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