Handicap Accessible Bathrooms - Bathroom for Disabled
Handicap Accessible Bathrooms prevent injury and even death in the elderly. According to U.S. statistics, more than 200,000 people are injured in their bathroom every year and upwards of 9,000 people die after hitting their heads on bathroom fixtures and counters or drown after falling in the tub.
Tap water that is too hot causes burns and even death in a handful of cases. Anyone with elderly family members should equip their bathroom for disabled use to prevent tragic events.
Sure, you may think your elderly family member or possibly you are still steady on the feet. Accidents can and will happen. Prevention is key. By adding handicapped accessible bathroom fixtures, you help eliminate some of the common issues that lead to accidental falls.
Towel Rods Will Not Support a Falling Person
If you slip in your bathroom, it's instinctive to grab something to help you regain balance. Towel rods are the first thing most people grab, but they are not designed to hold weight. Instead, they'll break off. Now you or your loved one is falling with a sharp object in the hand. This increases the potential for serious injury.
It's better to purchase grab bars near your bathtub, toilet and shower stall. Grab bars anchor directly into wall studs and usually support up to 250 pounds. For people weighing more than that, there are special order grab bars designed for bathrooms for disabled and elderly that are available from most manufacturers. Choose grab bars for your handicap accessible bathroom that have ridged surfaces so that you'll retain a decent grip, even if your hands are wet or soapy.
Shower and Tub Floors Cause Many Falls
Many falls occur because shower stall or bath tub floors are slippery when covered in water and soap. If your tub or shower stall floor is not coated with a grip surface, add adhesive non-skid strips or decals. Non-skid shower and bath mats with suction cups also work well. Just make sure the suction cups are gripping the floor correctly.
When you step out of the shower or bathtub, make sure your bath mat doesn't slip. Mats with rubberized backing are best. By providing slip-proof flooring items to your handicap accessible bathroom, you're preventing one of the leading causes of bathroom injuries.
Handicap Accessible Bathroom Items Will Save Lives
By simply adding non-skid floor and bathtub mats and installing textured grab bars, you'll prevent the most common bathroom falls. These two simple additions to your bathroom prevent injuries and save lives.
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