Preventing Home Accidents – Bathroom Aids
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 370 people of all ages from the United States suffer from or sustain injuries in the bathtub or shower daily. In 1989, there were 117,230 injuries; 136,616 in 1990; and 139,434 in 1991. Of these number, the elderly accounts for around 17% to 22% of the injured (Mullick, 2005).
Falling is the most common cause of injury in the bathroom, accounting to about 81% of cases (Mao, McKenzie, Xiang & Smith, 2008). It is caused by its confined space and slippery floors which can be dangerous especially when wet. Furthermore, the hard surfaces of the bathtub and sink, as well as the protruding bathroom fixtures may increase the chances of injury during accidents…show more content… A layer of rubber on the floor with provides traction for the person using the bathroom and ensures the prevention of slipping accidents.
Transfer benches and bath steps would allow those who have walking disability to easily enter the bathtub. Instead of having to gingerly sit on the slippery edge of the tub and then dropping themselves slowly in; transfer benches and bath steps would allow them to be securely seated right beside the tub and to position themselves slowly in; thereby reducing the danger of them falling on to the floor.
Long handled sponges and scrubbers too, will make sure that the bathroom user would be able to cleanse themselves properly without having to change their position in the bathroom, which can be a danger if they are coated with slippery soap. The loss of traction of their body against the chair or the floor may cause them to slip and have an accident.
Bathroom aids are not limited to bathroom furniture; even fixtures can be added to make ones bathing safer. Changing the temperature of the water or reaching the tap outside the tub or shower is dangerous and time consuming; it can even have the possibility of scalding the user. Handheld shower heads with built-in tap control can also be had at stores to overcome this