How to Prevent Bathtub Accidents

Whether you're not as young as you used to be, you're caring for an aging family member, or you have a small child, the bathtub can be one of the most dangerous places in the house. According to the U.S. News and World Report, 43,000 kids are hurt every year in bathtubs. Even perfectly healthy adults can have bathtub accidents that cause serious injury. Here's how to prevent those nasty slip-and-falls.

1. Prevent bathtub accidents with safety rails.

They may not be the coolest looking bathtub accessories, but they can be a lifesaver for seniors and those who need some help keeping their footing. Prevent bathtub accidents by installing a grab bar or rail on the shower wall. Seniors and others can hold onto these while showering or use them to pull themselves out of the tub. Ladies can install safety footrests for shaving help. Some safety rails are even made with suction cups so you won't have to do any major remodeling.

2. Prevent bathtub accidents with non-skid appliqués.

Non-skid bathtub appliqués work like stickers: you just peel and stick them to the bottom of your tub. The top surface prevents bathtub accidents by helping the feet stick to the bottom of the tub instead of sliding around. They come in many shapes, colors, and designs, so you can probably find bathtub appliqués to match your bathroom's existing décor. These are a cheap, fun, and discreet way to make your bathtub safer for everyone.

3. Prevent bathtub accidents with rubber-backed bathmats.

Bathtub accidents also happen when people are already out of the tub. Wet tile floor around your bathtub can be especially dangerous, and a rubber-backed bathmat will stay in one place and keep you from slipping.

4. Prevents bathtub accidents with seats and ledges.

For the elderly who can't lower themselves into the tub as easily but can't safely stand up for as long as a shower takes, a shower or bathtub with an elevated ledge built in can prevent accidents. Seats and ledges tend to be a lot more labor-intensive to install than any other safety feature, so you might need professional help to put one in your shower.

5. Prevent bathtub accidents with non-slip surface treatment.

The thing that makes bathtubs so dangerous is their slippery surfaces. Even the most agile person has trouble preventing a fall once they begin to slip in the tub. There are coatings you can apply to your bathtub to make the surface less slippery. Many hotels and hospitals already do this to cut down on liability. TubSafe Surface Treatment is one option I found online for a bathtub coating that cuts down on slippage.

TubSafe Surface Treatment: http://www.stopslipping.com/