Bathtub Safety

For the aging and the disabled, safety in the bathtub is an increasing concern. There are extra precautions one can take to avoid accidents in the bathtub. Even simple remedies such as a floor mat for the bathtub or an easy-to-install grab bar can go a long way toward preventing an accident. For those who should be seated while bathing, a bath chair or bath lift is a great investment in safety.

What level of precaution is necessary for yourself or your loved ones? Ideally, the risk of an accident should be minimized for a given level of convenience. I mention the balance between convenience and risk because everyone could eliminate the risk of falling in the bathtub by choosing to sit down for a bath instead of standing for a shower. Instead, most healthy adults choose to take a shower because it's faster and more convenient than drawing a bath. In doing so, they are subconsciously accepting the higher level of risk because of the favorable trade-off with convenience.

For healthy adults, simple precautions should still be taken to minimize that risk. A grab bar is an inexpensive remedy that people of all ages should have in the bathtub. Most modern bathtubs are now installed with some kind of bar that can be used for support, but those living in older houses will probably need to install one. For extra safety, aging adults should think about installing a grab bar that runs the entire length of the bathtub. A non-slip bathtub mat would also be very effective in reducing the risk of an accident while showering. As a person gets older, the risk of an accident increases, so these simple remedies become more and more necessary.

At some point, the risk of an accident becomes high enough that aging adults should be seated in the bathtub every time they take a shower or bath. How will you know when you or your loved ones have reached that point? Start by asking yourself "what if?" "If I slip in the shower, will I be able to catch myself?" "If I fall and injure one of my legs, will I be able to lift myself up and get to a phone to call for help?" If you are not comfortable answering "yes" to these questions asked of yourself or on behalf of a loved one, it is time to invest in a bath chair or a bath lift.

Bath chairs are good investments in safety, and bath lifts are even better. Bath chairs are basic, immobile seats mounted in a bathtub so that a person can sit while they shower. Bath lifts actually lower the person into the bathtub so they can bathe completely. When the user is ready to get out, the bath lift raises them back up. For extra security, some bath lifts even have chest or lap harnesses to prevent the user from slipping out. This measure of protection, when used correctly, will virtually eliminate the risk of an accident in the bathtub even for people with very limited mobility.

As you get older, you will want to consider safety in the bathtub more and more. As a healthy adult, there are simple precautions you can take to minimize the risk of an accident. For seniors and others who have limited mobility, a greater investment in safety such as a lift chair is usually necessary.

Randy McIntire is a technical writer specializing in mobility devices for seniors and the disabled. Randy's particular area of expertise is bath lifts. For more information about bath lifts, visit All Liftchairs.

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