Bathrooms are filled with possibilities for accidents. It’s easy to understand why. There are many fixtures in a tight space where surfaces are usually wet or humid.
With an aging population who are living longer than ever – and many of them living alone – slips and falls in the bathroom are escalating. And then there are younger children who are accident prone because they are little wiggle worms (cute, but wiggly).
Following are two areas to address for a successful bathroom remodeling project that can keep you and your loved ones safe in perhaps the most used room in the house.
Replace the Bathtub: Many accidents in the bathroom occur when getting in and out of the bathtub. Replacing a bathtub with just a shower can reduce this risk.
Select a shower that has a low threshold of entry. This will allow those with limited dexterity (eg, the elderly and/or physically challenged) to get in and out easily. It also decreases the accident quotient for little ones with no physical challenges.
In order to make your shower more luxurious, make it as large as possible. Ideally, it should be big enough to accommodate a wheel chair. You can also add a seating area. Another feature that will decrease accidents is a grab bar to assist when entering, exiting and bathing.
Even if you don’t make these changes to every bathroom in your home, having at least one bathroom with just a shower like the one outlined here can accommodate guests with small children and older or disabled guests.
Slip-Proof Flooring: The next area to address is the flooring when trying to accident-proof your bathroom. Slip-proof flooring is a must and there are quite a few options on the market.
A professional bathroom remodeling contractor will be able to help you choose the one that will best fit your family’s needs.
