January is National Bath Safety Month. This national observance is all about ways to prevent accidents that may occur in the bathroom.

The bathroom is a common place where seniors and children often end up having accidents and falling. Yet, such  accidents are sometimes overlooked as a cause for concern. The good news is that bathroom falls can be easily prevented if you take the right precautions.

Safety Tips for Seniors

There are a few simple things you can do to make your bathroom much safer. To decrease the chance of you or a loved one taking a fall while in your bathroom, follow these helpful tips:

• Install non-slip strips or mats in the bottom of your bathtub
• Have safety handles for climbing in and out of the tub or shower, and by the toilet, too
• Place a non-slip rug or mat on the floor at the entry/exit of the shower
• Make sure your bathroom floor stays clean and free of spills
• Keep a phone in your bathroom in case of emergencies

Safety Tips for Children

• Stay with your child during bath time to prevent drowning.
• Prevent slips by placing a slip-resistant plastic mat with suctions to the bottom of the tub.
• Make sure the rug/mat outside the tub does not move when stepped on.
• Install a grab bar for kids to hold onto when stepping in and out of the bath.
• Test the water temperature before allowing your child to enter or submerse themselves.
• Eliminate the chances of cuts and bruises from sharp edges and blunt objects. Cover the faucet head with a rubber cover.