Why you should be mindful of bathroom slips and falls
Apr 16, 2019
“I hit my bums down and the pain was too much. I kept on asking myself why and how I fell, but I didn’t have answers to my questions.” says Kisuto.
BATHROOM SLIPS AND FALLS
22-year-old Isaac Kisuto, a resident of Najjera recalls entering his bathroom when it was dry but when he opened the tap, and moved towards the bathtub, he slipped and fell.
"I hit my bums down and the pain was too much. I kept on asking myself why and how I fell, but I didn't have answers to my questions." says Kisuto.
Later he visited his doctor for examination but he had not got serious injuries, he was given pain killers and some antibiotics and today he is fine.
However, he stopped his family from using the bathroom until he finds out what could have caused his fall.
Kisuto invited a plumber at his home who realized that the tiles in Kisuto's bathroom were not the right ones for a bathroom.
"The tiles were too smooth that even without soap, they would get slippery and someone could easily slip and fall." said Ronald Ssewamala, a plumber to Kisuto.
He therefore decided to remove them and asked Kisuto to invest in proper bathroom tiles, something Kisuto did, much as he incurred a higher cost.
However, experts say, like Kisuto, most people are in the habit of building and then using the tiles that remain from flooring the house to floor their bathrooms.
"That is wrong, speak to a professional plumber and he will advise on which tiles to use in your bathroom. This will save you and your love ones from bathroom slips and falls." says Ssewamala.
Like Kisuto, most people are bound to get injured in the bathroom if they don't pay attention to what they are supposed to do right, in the bathroom.
Globally, over 235,000 people visit hospitals because of injuries suffered in the bathroom. A third of these happen when bathing while others are occur while using the toilet.
However, experts note that these can be avoided by;
Investing in the right bathroom tiles
Ssewamala says bathroom tiles are usually rough tiles and different types are put in different bathrooms. Children's bathrooms can have a different type from that of adults.
"Since children are young and usually playful, a rougher type is installed for them, to ensure their safety." he explains.
Have the right toilet type in your bathroom
Ssewamala notes that children usually fall off toilet seats in the bathroom especially when the kids are left un attended to while in the bathroom.
He advises parents to consider using a scooter toilet type for children and always attend to them while they are in the bathroom.
Consider having rough floor mats around the floor or even tab
Asaad Tamale, an interior designer, notes that having mats around the bathroom floor and the bathtub help reduce bathroom falls.
These are rough enough to prevent you from slipping to fall.
Avoid playing or dancing while in the bathroom.
Tamale says it might sound wired but its true some people are used to singing and dancing while in the bathroom and before they know it, they are down on the floor.
"To avoid bathroom accidents, let's get to the bathroom to concentrate on showering and in a few minutes we are out." he advises.
Kept it clean and free from soapy stuff
Tamale urges home owners to always keep their bathrooms clean, dry and free from soapy stuff. This is because when water and soap mix, the floor becomes so slippery that it's very easy for someone to slip and fall.
"To avoid the dangers that come with that, it's important that we maintain a floor free from soap. Wetness also allows dirty stuff to grow in the bathroom which causes illness." he affirms.
Replace flusher handles
"The flusher handles, usually rust and when someone pulls to flash, they get off. Since some force is exerted while flashing, someone might slip and fall in the process of flashing. To avoid this, inspect the flash handles and if they have rust, consider replacing them." says Tamale.
He also adds that we need to have grab bars around the bathing area so that your people can hold onto them.
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