3 Dangers Avoided with Handicap Accessible Bathtubs

by Kevin Smith Author

If your bathroom is frequently used by someone with a physical disability or is simply older in age, the bathtub can be a very dangerous object. Most injuries occurring in the bathroom are elderly people getting in and out of the tub. The way to allow these residents the ability to independently bathe themselves while keeping them safe is to install a handicap accessible bathtub. Here are three dangers you can avoid by making this purchase and installation.

Fall Due to a Sliding Door

Most bathtubs and showers feature a sliding door, which keeps water from exiting the bathtub or shower. For most people, these are helpful as they keep able-bodied residents from slipping on the tile when they exit. However, for less mobile people, they can be dangerous. When entering or exiting the bathtub or shower, they may grab at the door to keep their balance. Given that the door is meant to slide and is not designed to withstand the weight of a person, there’s a good chance that this action will result in a fall and a serious injury. Walk-in bathtubs allow the user to simply walk in rather than climbing over the edge, avoiding the need to grab onto the door.

Fall When Grabbing Towel Bar, Shower Curtain, or Sink Top

When you get older, keeping your balance can be difficult. When moving around the bathroom, you may need to grab onto something to support yourself. Oftentimes, the closest and easiest thing to grab is either the towel bar, shower curtain, or the sink top. Towel bars and shower curtains are not designed to hold the weight of a person so it will likely collapse, resulting in a serious fall. Sink tops are usually made of marble and are therefore quite slippery as there is usually water on it. This too can cause a fall. Bathrooms that have been designed for the disabled often have rails or bars that are specifically designed to grab and keep your balance.

Slip in the Tub

While getting in and out of the bathtub is difficult and most often results in falls, the inside of the bathtub is also troublesome. Once the water comes on, it can become quite slippery, even if you have non-slip mats. A fall could result in fractured bones or head trauma. Handicap bathtubs feature handrails inside the tub that will allow the user to safely bathe and maneuver around.

The typical bathroom can be very dangerous when someone’s mobility is limited. Grab bars and handrails can save them from falling, avoiding fractured bones or head trauma. These are three key dangers avoided by with the installation of handicap accessible bathtubs.