Bath Safety: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe in the Tub
January is Bath Safety Month and you may not be aware of how dangerous your bathroom can be! Small children are especially vulnerable but anyone is at risk of suffering a major accident in or around the bath. A trip to the emergency room is not the way most of us envision bath time ending! Follow these simple tips designed to keep you and your family safe.
1. Grab bars are a good idea for everyone!
The majority of all major bath accidents happen when people are getting in and (especially) out of the tub. Having a bar or some kind of handle to help people get in and out of the tub is a safety precaution for people of all ages. Remember tubs are slippery when wet, making it harder for you to keep your balance.
2. Never leave small children unattended in the tub.
This is probably a no-brainer, but better safe than sorry. At no time should a child under four years of age be left alone while in the tub.
3. Prevent scalding.
Most water heaters allow you to set the temperature but have a manufacture default water heating setting. It is best to set the temperature yourself and ensure that it’s not hotter than 115-120 degrees F. By lowering the water temperature settings, you’ll reduce the risk of scalding water burns. If you’re not sure how to set your water heater temperature our professional plumbers will be happy to help! And be sure to ask about an Anti-Scald Device for added safety.
P.S. Even with the above precautions in place, it is a good idea to test the temperature of the water before jumping in.
4. Stop slips before they happen.
We all know that wet surfaces are slippery, that’s why adding a few accessories to your bathroom can go a long way in keeping your loved ones safe. Place a slip-resistant mat or adhesive decals in your tub/shower. If your floor is tiled, place a decorative rug next to your tub/shower. If you don’t have a rug, placing a towel next to your tub will be helpful.
P.S. Don’t forget to have grab bars installed, it is not safe to use a towel rack to help you out of the tub.
5. Electricity and water are not friends.
Again, this may seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised at how often this issue
comes up. For everyone’s safety, keep electrical devices away from the tub. If you have small children, it’s probably a good idea to make sure all devices are unplugged before running the bath water. Better safe than sorry!
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