How to Prevent Slip-and-Fall Accidents in the Bathroom

Slip-and-fall accidents are responsible for over 800,000 hospitalizations per year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some of these accidents occur in the workplace, others occur in residential homes. One of the most common places where slip-and-fall accidents occur in homes is the bathroom. You can prevent slip-and-fall accidents in the bathroom, however, by following these tips.

Install Grab Bars in the Shower

Assuming your shower doesn't already have them, you should consider installing grab bars. Grab bars are bar-shaped handles that you can grab to maintain your balance. When stepping in an out of the shower, you can grab them. Using grab bars will lower your risk of slip-and-fall accidents in the bathroom.

Keep Floors Clean and Dry

Keeping the floors in your bathroom clean and dry will lower your risk of slip-and-fall accidents. If the floors are cluttered, you may trip and lose your balance. If the floors are wet, on the other hand, you may slip and lose your balance. Maintaining clean and dry floors is essential to creating a safe bathroom that minimizes your risk of slip-and-fall accidents.

Use Non-Slip Rugs

Using non-slip rugs in your bathroom will create a safer environment that protects you from slip-and-fall accidents. What are non-slip rugs exactly? They look like most other rugs, but they are designed with a special backing that prevents them from slipping. The backing on the underside of a non-slip rug creates traction with the floor. Therefore, you can walk on it without fear of slipping and falling.

Keep Items Within Reach

Another tip to lower the risk of slip-and-fall accidents in the bathroom is to keep commonly used within reach. Keeping toiletries, cleaning supplies and other items in an easy-to-reach area will create a safer bathroom. You'll be able to access those items more easily, which may in turn prevent slip-and-fall accidents from occurring.

Brighten It Up

If your bathroom is poorly lit, you may struggle to see when showering and bathing. This can increase your risk of a slip-and-fall accident. Fortunately, a simple solution is to brighten it up. Installing new light fixtures -- or upgrading your bathroom's existing light fixtures -- will promote safety.

Wear Non-Slip Footwear

You'll have a lower risk of slip-and-fall accidents if you wear non-slip footwear in the bathroom, such as slippers or sandals. Like with non-slip rugs, they are designed with a special backing to prevent slippage.