Bath Safety Month: Safer Showers For All Ages

January is National Bath Safety Month, a time to promote safety in one of the most accident-prone areas of our homes: the bathroom. To raise awareness, we should share the potential hazards in the bathroom, from slips to chemical ingestions. Reduce home injuries by making changes and encouraging others to do the same.

Quick links: National Bath Safety Month

Why Bath Safety Month Matters

Bath Safety Month promotes proper precautions that cover an often overlooked issue that impacts vulnerable groups such as children and older adults.

Did you know that the bathroom is one of the most dangerous places in the home, especially for seniors? Accidents in the bathroom, ranging from minor slips to drowning, can have debilitating physical and psychological effects. Children are also vulnerable because they lack coordination, muscle strength, and balance.

Spend the whole month of January improving safety measures at home, from buying non-slip mats to properly storing bathing products.

Data and Statistics

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, almost 60 American children drown in bathtubs with as little as 2 inches of water annually.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 234,094 people over the age of 15 visited Emergency Departments due to non-fatal bathroom-related injuries. Most of these (37.3%) happen during bathing, showering, or exiting the tub or shower, while only 2.2% occur when entering. Other causes are slipping (17.3%), toilet use (14.1%), and fainting (5.5%).

Based on national healthcare databases, approximately 20,000 Americans require hospital care due to injuries from tap water scald burns. Researchers suggested policy proposals for mandatory thermostatic mixing valves.

How to Practice Bath Safety

• Install non-slip mats or strips on the bathroom floor and the shower area to prevent incidents, especially senior falls by slipping on wet surfaces,
• Water safety also includes temperature. To avoid scalding, regularly check and maintain water temperature. Ideal water temperatures should not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use safety handles or grab bars in the shower or bathtub for additional support while getting in and out. However, grab bars with suction cups can easily fall.
• Keep the bathroom well-lit to prevent slips and other accidents due to poor visibility. Consider nightlights for nighttime use.
• Keep bathroom cleaning products and medications out of reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion or exposure.
• When bathing a baby, ensure everything you need is within arm’s reach. Consider enrolling them in swimming lessons.
• If something happens while bathing your baby, take the baby with you. Babies can drown quickly if left unattended in the tub.

Bath Safety Month Hashtags

Share credible data and tips online with the following hashtags:

• #BathSafetyMonth
• #SafeBathing
• #BathSafetyTips
• #BathroomSafety
• #WaterSafety

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)