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HOMEOWNER
TIPS: BATHROOM
Speaker
of
the House Inspection Services offers the following tips about bathroom
safety.
Bathroom
- A light switch
near the bathroom door will prevent you from walking through a dark
area. Install a night-light. Inexpensive lights that plug into outlets
are available. Consider replacing the existing switch with a "glow
switch" that can be seen in the dark.
- Electrical appliances
and power cords can cause shock or electrocution if they come in contact
with water. Consider adding new outlets for convenience and safety;
ask your electrician to install outlets equipped with ground fault
circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to protect against electric shock. A
GFCI is a shock-protection device that will detect electrical fault
and shut off electricity before serious injury or death occurs.
- Wet soapy tile
or porcelain surfaces are especially slippery and may contribute to
falls. Apply textured strips or appliqués on the floors of tubs and
showers. Use non-skid mats in the tub and shower, and on the bathroom
floor.
- Grab bars can help
you get into and out of your tub or shower, and can help prevent falls.
Check existing bars for strength and stability, and repair if necessary.
Attach grab bars through the tile to structural supports in the wall,
or install bars specifically designed to attach to the sides of the
bathtub.
- Water temperature
above 120 degrees can cause tap water scalds. Lower the setting on
your hot water heater to "Low" or 120 degrees. If you are
unfamiliar with the controls of your water heater, ask a qualified
person to adjust it for you.
If the water heater does not have a temperature setting, you
can use a thermometer to check the temperature of the water at the
tap. Always check water temperature by hand before entering bath or
shower. Taking baths, rather than showers, reduces the risk of a scald
from suddenly changing water temperatures.
- Grandparents should
use child-resistant vials if they are able to. Although grandparents
may get traditional easy-to-open closures by asking their pharmacist
for them, the child-resistant vials should be used whenever children
are around.
- Store all medicines
separately from household products, and store all household chemical
products away from food. Keep items in their original containers.
Leave the original labels on all products, and read the label before
using. Always leave the light on when giving or taking medicines.
Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically, and safely dispose of
unneeded medicines when the illness for which they were prescribed
is over. Pour contents down drain or toilet, and rinse container before
discarding. Turn on a light at night and put on your glasses to read
the label when you need to take a medicine. If any questions arise,
consult your physician. Never mix medicines and alcohol, and never
take more than the prescribed amount of medicine. Never "borrow"
a friend's medicine or take old medicines. Tell your doctor what other
medicines you are taking so you can avoid adverse drug interactions.
(NOTE:
All information comes courtesy of the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207)
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