How to Avoid Accidents in Bathrooms


The bathroom should be a sanctuary where you just have to shut the door to escape from the rest of the world. It also needs to be totally hygienic and free of dirt and germs, as well as completely safe for young and old alike. To enjoy peace of mind in a bathroom you need also to be aware of what the dangers are and what could go wrong.

The hazards

Children

Children must be constantly supervised in the bathroom. Make sure they cannot lock themselves in and fit all bathroom and toilet door locks above child height. Never leave one or more small children alone in the bath, not even while you answer the telephone.

Bathroom Safety

Keep cleaning equipment, including lavatory brushes, medicines and pills safely locked away. Razor blades, both in use and discarded, must also be re­moved: never throw disposable razors in the wastepaper basket in case your child forages in it.

Every day clean your toilet and keep the lid closed or young children will regard it as one of their favourite toys, not only to wash their hands in but also as a receptacle for their toys.

Water: flooding

There is an obvious danger from water in a bathroom. This carpet drying service in Brisbane advice is to guard against the possi­bility of a flood starting, not just from you forgetting to turn off the taps when running a bath or basin full of water, but also from a defective overflow pipe on your toilet. For safety reasons, there are some manufacturers who will not service washing machines or tumble-driers that are installed in bathrooms, but these could fail and a flooding could cause water damage.  There are many reasons why you should consider hiring a water damage restoration company if your home has been affected by water damage. A professional water damage restoration company will have the knowledge and experience to quickly assess the damage and determine the best course of action to take. Check first with the relevant manufacturer and if you do install laundry equipment in your bathroom, make sure you leave a space of at least 6 ft (1.8 m) between them and your bath or shower. Place the machine in a special tank with an overf­low in case it breaks down and floods. In case of flooding, contact Water Damage Mentor immediately to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Water: scalding

To avoid the danger of scalding, par­ticularly in the very young and very old, always test the water in a bath or shower before using it. Set the thermostat so that water in the hot tap is never more than 54″‘C (130°F).

Running cold water into your bath before hot not only prevents scalding but also helps reduce the amount of steam in the bathroom.

Water: condensation

Water damage can be a serious issue, and should always be handled by professionals. Professional water damage restoration companies have the experience and expertise to quickly and effectively resolve any water damage issue. They can also work with your home and flood insurance company to make sure that all of the repairs are covered. Condensation can lead to problems of damp. Having an enclosed shower minimizes steam, as does painting your bathroom walls with a water-based, rather than an oil-based paint. Open the window for a while when the bathroom is very steamy and do not block perma­nent ventilators.

Electricity

Bringing electrical appliances, such as hair-driers, into the bathroom can kill. Remove all non-safety sockets and electric switches from the bathroom: lights can either be switched on from outside or install pull switches for lights and your Hot Water Heater. Use only special safety sockets for electric shavers.

Wall-mount any electric heaters and keep them well away from the bath. Keep your heated towel rail covered with towels, or on a low heat setting, so that if an elderly person or child fell on it they could not burn themselves.

Accidents

Wet, slippery surfaces can cause falls. Use non-slip mats in the bath and keep the floor as dry as possible, this can avoid slip and fall accidents are the second-leading casue of injury related deaths. Avoid using too much bubble bath or soap as this can make the bath very slippery. Cover glass shower doors with safety film so that if they accidentally break they will at least not splinter.

Make sure any instant gas water heater has a special sealed flue and have it serviced annually. When the heater is on, leave a door or window open as it emits carbon monoxide fumes. Check frequently that the pilot light is still lit.

Filed Under: Home & Maintenance

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About the Author: Jason Prickett loves to write about home maintenance and stuff you can do yourself instead of hiring any professional. His step by step guides will assist you in completing your home maintenance tasks.

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