Why Is Bathroom Safety So Important?
Bathroom (and kitchen) safety cannot be an afterthought in your remodeling project. Statistics verify the need for bathroom safety.
According to A Secure Life, “Falls are the leading cause of home injury deaths, with nearly 6,000 lives claimed per year as a result of falls in the home. Falls are an especially common home injury threat for the elderly. Every year, one in every three Americans 65 and older suffers a fall that often lead to moderate or severe injuries and increases the risk of early death.” Bathroom safety is often used as a synonym for accessibility. Some people call accessibility by a phrase I don’t like to use: “Aging in Place.” If anything, I prefer to use the phrase “Lifetime Livability,” because that’s the goal: To make a home safe, comfortable, and healthy for all of its occupants. Read more about safety in “Accessible Bathrooms Enhance Our Humanity.”
A New York Times article reports that “Every year about 235,000 people over age 15 visit emergency rooms because of injuries suffered in the bathroom, and almost 14 percent are hospitalized. More than a third of the injuries happen while bathing or showering. More than 14 percent occur while using the toilet.”
Most bathroom accidents can be avoided, if the following precautions are incorporated into a bathroom remodeling project at the beginning:
- Slip-resistant flooring
- Secure area rugs
- Plumbing fixtures that are accessible
- Grab bars — there are beautiful alternatives available that don’t look “industrial”
- Good lighting, including night lights to/from and in the bathroom
Other tips and hints are in “Four Bathroom Design Ideas for Comfort and Safety”. The goal for every home remodeling project should be to create a safe and personalized haven for the occupants. The best way to ensure safety in your remodeled bathroom is to find a professional bathroom designer trained by the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
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If you are stuck trying to understand how to achieve a safe and beautiful bathroom, I’d love to help you! With over 36 years of education, training, and experience, I offer compassionate creativity that inspires communication. Call me so we can talk about your specific needs!
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