According to the CDC, more than 66% of falls in the bathroom occur in the tub or shower as a result of slipping.
According to the National Institute on Aging, up to 80% of falls among seniors occur in the bathroom.
Do the math - the bathroom is one of the more dangerous rooms in the home, and it’s due largely to the fact that bathrooms are wet and tiled - that’s a recipe for slippery floors.
There’s no reason you should just accept that at face value. While a slip and fall in the bathroom is a clear and present danger for anyone (regardless of age) it’s an even more significant risk for the elderly.
If you’re designing (or redesigning) a bathroom in your home, view the project with a longer perspective. None of us stays young forever, and anyone can benefit from a safer, slip-proof shower.
Here are 4 key ways to make your shower or tub safer by mitigating the risk of slipping and falling.
Non-Slip Tile and Stone
If you have the luxury of choosing the flooring in your shower (and bathroom) then the best thing to do is to solve the issue of slipping at the root.
Too many bathrooms are designed with slick stone and tile that is dangerously slippery when wet. Stone, both natural and synthetic, which has a bit of tooth, not only provides a more comfortable feel, but is less slippery even when it gets wet.
There are also stone and pebble patterns you can use in the shower that offer a much better tactile feel and which are not as dangerous when they get wet - which is inevitable in the shower.
Now, even if you aren’t in a position to replace your flooring or redo your tile, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. There are chemical non-slip treatments you can apply to tile that will add traction for several years.
With that said, make sure you follow the application instructions as closely as possible, as most require the shower flooring/tile to be clean and free of all residue in order to ensure proper adherence.
However, if you aren’t a fan of chemical treatments, there are still solutions for slippery tile, even inside the shower or tub.
Non-Slip Shower Strips and Mats
If you don’t have the means to physically change your shower tile and don’t want to apply a chemical anti-slip treatment, you still have the option to install non-slip shower mats and strips.
There are lots of ways to add anti-slip mats and strips or tape to a shower floor. The easiest is by placing down a mat that’s held in place under the force of friction only. These represent the most beginner-friendly options.
However, there are special types of PVC and vinyl anti-slip strips and tape that use either pressure-sensitive or adhesive backing and which provide a more permanent anti-slip solution.
However, like chemical anti-slip treatments, they must be installed properly in order to provide a better level of traction. Most of them require the shower floor to be completely clean, dry, and free of residue, soap scum and grime before applying.
Grab Bars
Grab bars will not actually make a shower less slippery, but they will give you something to hold onto in order to help stabilize yourself when you’re getting in or out, and that’s an important redundant safety feature all the same.
There are suction-based grab bars that are better than nothing, but they are notoriously unreliable and they can peel off the wall when under a load, which is extremely dangerous.
This makes permanently installed, fixed grab bars much stronger and therefore much safer. Have a contractor install them if you are not comfortable doing so yourself. A good idea is to have both a vertical and a slanted or horizontal grab bar on the shower wall on the far side from the one you enter, so you have something to help you get in and out.
Another important note is that your grab bars should be kept clean and free of slippery residue, including soap scum. Keeping them clean helps ensure you will be able to maintain a sure, slip-free grip whenever you use them.
Shower Chairs and Stools
Lastly, the addition of a shower chair, a transfer bench, or a small shower bench to your shower can significantly reduce the risk of slipping and falling by giving users a place to sit and rest while showering. In the case of the transfer benches in our ShowerGlyde line, the risk of transfers (where the greatest risk of slipping and falling occurs) is substantially mitigated by the design of the transfer bench, which enables a user to slide into and out of the shower without standing or stepping over any obstacles.
These shower chairs or transfer benches are best in situations in which you want to ease the transfer into and out of the shower, and are best for showers and tubs with raised lips. There are three transfer benches available in this line that are suitable for a wide variety of bathroom layouts and configurations.
As for the small shower benches in our Refine line, these are best in situations in which you don’t necessarily have a specific concern about transfer, but still want to include a sitting platform for those that need a place to rest while showering. With increased fatigue and straining come a greater risk of slipping and falling, and the stability and anti-slip designs of our Refine small shower benches help improve safety. Plus, they are lightweight and easy to reposition or remove as needed.
Safer, Slip-Free Shower Starts Today
Hopefully you found these tips and suggestions helpful and will make some of the adjustments outlined here in your home today. You can reduce the risk of slipping and falling in your bathroom right now, making your home safer for you and loved ones, and all you need to do is make some basic adjustments to improve safety.
