Family Bathroom Safety Upgrades Checklist
Have you ever stepped on a wet floor in your bathroom and almost fallen? Bathroom accidents happen more often than most people think. According to the CDC, they are among the top reasons for being injured in the home.
The bathroom poses a high risk for accidents due to slippery surfaces, poor lighting, and confined spaces. Making your bathroom a safer place does not have to involve a complete renovation.
A few smart adjustments can greatly reduce the risk of an accident in your bathroom while also increasing comfort and usability. Below is a checklist with some of the most important safety upgrades.
Install Grab Bars for Added Stability
Installing grab bars for extra stability is a must! Grab bars are no longer the clunky institutional-looking features of the past! Today’s grab bars blend right in with modern bathrooms to provide essential support in areas where slips are likely.
The best places to install grab bars in bathrooms are inside the shower or tub area, next to the tub, and beside the toilet. Even without mobility issues, adding grab bars can be a smart preventive measure. Don’t wait for an injury to occur.
Do Not Ignore Minor Leaks
A small leak can become a much larger problem. Dripping faucets, water stains, soft flooring, or musty odors may all signal hidden moisture damage behind walls or under flooring.
Routine inspections can help identify potential issues before they become costly mistakes. Preventative maintenance is especially important to families who have elderly relatives living at home because a minor accident could lead to serious consequences.
With the right bathroom design and remodeling and a proactive approach, you can stop the leaks from turning into bigger issues. Professionals can give you advice to avoid future issues.
Upgrade Faucets and Handles
Twist knobs on faucets can be challenging for children, elderly adults, and people with arthritis. Lever handle faucets are easier to grip, take less physical strength to operate, and can affordably provide a needed upgrade.
The same principle applies to sink faucets and shower controls. Moving away from older, non-user friendly controls to more updated designs creates a more accessible and usable bathroom space, while maintaining the visual appeal.
Improve the Lighting
Bathrooms can become especially hazardous at night when there is limited visibility. Motion-sensor nightlights, under-cabinet lighting, and illuminated wall switches can improve safety and convenience when using the bathroom at night.
Adequate illumination reduces eye strain, and fortunately, most light fixture upgrades are affordable and easy to install. In most cases, you can manage the installation without needing to call in a professional.
Keep Storage Organized and Clutter-Free
At first glance, clutter does not appear to be dangerous. However, once items pile up on a countertop, cords hang loose off of appliances, or products are left on the floor, people are likely to trip over.
Here are some ways to reduce the risk of tripping over objects.
- Install wall-mounted shelves
- Built-in storage niches
- Make sure that cabinets are organized properly within the home
If there are young children in the home, place child-proof latches on cabinets that contain items such as cleaning supplies and medications. It is also important to declutter often and avoid keeping unnecessary items in the bathroom.
Verify Electrical Safety and Ventilation
Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) electrical receptacles in the bathroom to decrease the risk of being electrocuted when wet. If your current receptacle does not have a test and reset button, it is time for an upgrade.
Proper ventilation is necessary in a bathroom. Excess moisture leads to mold, water on the floor, and damage to the structure of the house over time.
Proper bathroom ventilation also assists in producing a healthy indoor environment. It balances humidity levels and provides a better quality of heating and cooling throughout the house.
Basic cleaning of exhaust fans and dryers can typically be performed by homeowners. However, for the installation of new ventilation systems and upgrades to the electrical setup in a home, it is advisable to consult a qualified contractor.
Small Bathroom Upgrades Can Have Big Safety Benefits
You can make your bathroom safer without running the aesthetic. Today’s safety improvements can be incorporated into every modern home to create a secure, easy-to-use bathroom for everyone in the family.
Making simple improvements can greatly reduce the risk of accidents for years to come, and promote comfort and independence for years to come. Any investment you make to increase the safety of your bathroom is one of the best decisions you can make for your home and family.
