Upgrading Bathroom Safety and Comfort
Your home is a haven from the dangers of the outside world. As much as possible, you try to keep it safe, especially if you have kids or elderlies living with you. However, there are specific areas in your home which are accident-prone, such as your bathroom. Hence, keeping bathroom safety and comfort should be a priority.
Two-thirds of accidental injuries occur in the bathroom area, mainly in the bathtub or in the shower. These areas tend to get slippery due to constant water exposure. According to a CDC report in 2011, 234, 094 non-fatal injuries happened in the bathroom area. Falls caused 81% of these injuries.
Even when exercising caution, the bathroom is a proven magnet for injuries. Women are prone to getting more injuries than men, with a bathroom injury rate that’s 72% higher than the recorded number for men. For older people, 2.5% of non-fatal injuries occur in the bathroom. Most of the elderlies acquire injuries when using the toilet.
These reports prove that the bathroom can be a dangerous place inside your house. Inspect your bathroom and consider renovating it to make it more safe and comfortable for the people living in your home. Here are some tips to consider for bathroom renovation to make your bathroom a safe and comfortable place.
INSTALL GRAB BARS.
A grab bar is a safety device which can help you maintain your balance or break your fall in the bathroom. Before, hospitals were the primary users of these bars. Now, grab bars are useful bathroom accessories that can keep you safe.
Place these bars near the bathtub, toilet, and shower. These bars can help you keep your balance when climbing in the tub or sitting on the toilet. There are three main types: wall-mounted, bars attached on one end, and sheltering arm grabs.
The wall-mounted type is the safest, and it’s attached to the wall at both ends. Some bars are attached to the wall only on one end because it’s connected to a hinge on the wall. The sheltering arm grabs work best near the toilet.
ADD LIGHT FIXTURES.
Dim lighting can cause accidents in the bathroom. Avoid injuries and make your bathroom experience comfortable by adding lights during the renovation. Put lights in the vanity area to help you get the best illumination when you’re preparing for work. It’s ideal to mount vertical lights on the sides of the mirror to achieve the best effect.
It’s not necessary, but you can add light (with glass lens) to your shower area so you can see around when you’re using the shower. Halogen bulbs with low voltage are ideal for other bathroom areas.
However, it’s crucial to ask an expert when it comes to lights. Remember that electricity plus water is a dangerous and deadly combination. So always exercise caution when it comes to your bathroom.
USE A SHOWERHEAD THAT’LL FIT YOUR NEEDS.
If you’re not satisfied with your shower, you can get a showerhead with a different function for added comfort. There are several types of showerheads: magnetic slide strip, adjustable arm, auto-lock arm, sliding bar, and a flexible neck.
Magnetic Slide Strip
You can quickly move the magnetic slide strip to adjust to your height because you can remove it. It also comes with a magnetic strip which lasts for a long time.
Adjustable Arm
The adjustable arm makes it easy for you to move the shower up and down, but it has limited movement.
Auto-Lock Arm
The auto-lock arm has almost the same function as the adjustable arm. You can move it quickly, and it doesn’t have wingnuts.
Sliding Bar
The sliding bar lets you slide the showerhead, but you can also detach it if you want to use it as a handheld showerhead.
Flexible Neck
The flexible neck has an adjustable neck which you can adjust for your convenience. Even kids can use this showerhead when showering alone.
PUT A BATH SEAT IN THE BATHTUB.
If you have elderly or injured people living with you, it might be wise to install a bath seat during the renovation. It allows people the convenience of bathing independently. It also gives them safety inside the bathroom because they’ll be sitting down the whole time.
Some bath seats are also portable. If you want to, you can bring it along when travelling. You can get a flat seat, commode, reclining, self-propelled, PVC, or stainless steel shower chair.
INCLUDE NON-SLIP STRIPS OR NON-SKID MATS.
There ‘s a big chance that people will get injured in the bathroom due to its slippery floor. To avoid this, put non-skid mats on the floor or non-slip strips in the tub. It’ll prevent you from falling to the floor, and it will keep you safe while you use the bathroom. These items are highly useful for playful kids or elderlies who can’t walk properly.
CHANGE YOUR TOILET.
If you’re experiencing toilet problems, it might be time to invest in a new one. Check toilet reviews online before buying one. Look for a high-efficiency model because this will help you save as much as 4,000 gallons of water yearly.
Make sure that your toilet is comfortable to use and it’s high enough for you. If you’re not sure what model you should get, you can ask your designer for tips if you’re hiring one for your renovations. Hiring a designer will make your life comfortable so consider hiring one when renovating your bathroom.
Bathroom renovations aren’t as easy as it sounds. You need advice on what fixtures you should get and where to place them. It’s easy to find a professional designer if you’re living in a major city like Melbourne. Search online and check the customer reviews so you can see the best designers for bathroom renovations Melbourne has to offer.
TAKEAWAY
The bathroom is one of the highly essential rooms in your home. You spend a lot of time in it daily, so it’s preferable if you make your bathroom the most comfortable area in the house. Hire a designer for renovations if necessary.
Discuss the things that you want to add or adjust, and don’t be afraid to make suggestions. Remember the tips stated above, and achieve a safe and comfortable bathroom for the entire household.
James Scully
Operations Manager
James studied Property at RMIT University where he learnt the fundamentals of construction and project management. Over the last twelve years he’s spent time working on both commercial and residential projects, working closely with all trades to gain valuable knowledge in all aspects of construction whilst honing in the skills he studied at RMIT.
