Every year, millions of people end up in the emergency room due to slipping and/or falling. While individuals of all ages are prone to falling and becoming injured, the likelihood of falling increases greatly with age.
Adults account for a large number of fall-related injuries that happen each year, and there are many things that may lead to a fall. Adults may be suffering from other age-related injuries or ailments, making it more likely that they become a victim of falling. Another aspect of aging that may increase the likelihood of falling is medication. Sedatives and antidepressants can create problems with balance, causing a senior to fall. Infants should also be taught on these hazards.

COMMON SLIP-AND-FALL RISKS IN BATHROOMS


The slip-and-fall risks in bathrooms are similar to those in other areas. These include:
Slippery Floors – owners seeking to keep their premises clean may overlook the need to place warning signs on recently cleaned floors. Tile floors are slippery when wet, and unsuspecting patrons can easily get hurt in a fall on a freshly mopped or waxed bathroom floor.
Puddles and Spills – Of course, when owners don’t keep their bathroom floors clean, this can create slip-and-fall risks as well. Puddles around sinks and commodes can cause sudden falls, as can soap spills and even loose paper towels.
Chips and Cracks – We’ve all been in public bathrooms that have seen better days. Loose, chipped, and cracked floor tiles are also potential fall hazards, and owners have a legal duty to fix dangerous maintenance issues before they lead to harmful accidents.

TIPS FOR AVOIDING PUBLIC BATHROOM FALLS
With these risks in mind, here are five tips to keep in mind to help keep yourself upright next time you need to make use of a public rest
1: Observe Warning Signs
If you see a “Caution” or “Slippery When Wet” sign, be aware that you may be approaching a slippery floor.
2: Think Your Shoes
Foot wears should have a good traction, are you wearing rubber-soled athletic shoes, or high-heel stilettos? If you are wearing slick or unstable shoes, keep in mind that you may be more likely to slip and fall.
3: Look Out for Obvious Hazards
Take the time to identify unsafe areas, while many slip-and-fall risks are difficult to spot, some may be obvious. If you see a puddle or a particularly shiny spot on the floor, try to walk around it if you can.
4: Avoid Creating Hazards
In addition to being respectful, leaving the bathroom how you found it can help you avoid slipping and falling on a hazard you helped to create. Ensure bathroom floor is dry to avoid slips and falls
5: Use non-slip mats in the shower and in the area outside the shower. Bathtubs and showers have a slippery bottom, providing non-slip mats will decrease the chance for a shower-related fall. Ensure non-slip mats are safe to use

6: Rid the bathroom of anything that a senior may trip over. This may include bathroom rugs that are not attached to the floor, as well as any decorative items that may be on the floor (magazine rack, trash can, etc.).

7: Add grab bars near the toilet and in the shower. The bathroom typically doesn’t have anything stable enough for a senior to grab if they feel dizzy or unbalanced, which results in grabbing things like the shower curtain and falling and becoming injured.
8: Use a raised toilet seat with grab bars.
9: Install a medical alert system. This can be done in a number of ways, and can even be as simple as putting a telephone or a press bell in the bathroom.
10: The bathtub should have a shower curtain – Pull it into a place to prevent water splashing on the floor.
11: Provide floor towel to avoid stepping into a slippery floor
12: Ensure everything you need is within reach so you wouldn’t have to stretch or unduly reach out to get your sponge, soap, towel etc
13: Ensure your bathroom has adequate illumination
14: Don’t place your legs on both rims or stand on one leg without adequate support



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