Ideas for a Safer Bathroom

Q: I read somewhere that thousands of people get injured falling in their bathrooms. What can I do to prevent falls in my new bath?

A: Because bathrooms have so many fixtures crammed into a small space and the surfaces are often wet, falls are very common. There are a number of ways to create a safer bathroom as well as make the bathroom more easily accessible to accommodate a disability.

Bathtubs and toilets are two high-risk areas. To reduce risk, consider replacing a bathtub with a shower.

Choose a shower that has a low threshold so someone with limited agility can get in and out easily. Ideally, the shower would be able to accommodate a wheelchair. The shower should also be equipped with a seat and include a flexible hand-held shower head to make it easier to bathe.

For the rest of the bathroom, include sturdy boards (called blocking) inside all the walls. This blocking allows you to install strong handholds and grab bars wherever they can provide additional support to the person using the bathroom.

Choose a floor surface that doesn't get too slick when wet. Don't always trust the labels. Test a sample of the floor by wetting it.

Many people are also choosing a toilet that has a higher seat because they find it much easier to use. The older, traditional seat is so low that many people find it difficult to sit down or stand up.

If you want to make your bathroom safer, click here to hire a bathroom contractor.

David Hollies is a remodeling industry educator and consultant. He is also the founder of Washington D.C.-based Home Connections, Inc.

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