Bathroom Injuries

As humorous as the title "Bathroom Injuries" may sound, restrooms are a very common place for household and hotel injuries. There are a number of hazards that can result in injury and even death. This article will give you some advice as to avoiding the hidden dangers that may be present in your own personal bathroom.

Bathrooms combine several dangerous elements that can result in injury. Most bathrooms are made of tile or other hard flooring, and have showers, bathtubs, sinks, and toilets that can splash water on the floors and make them slippery. Also, burns, drowning, and even medication overdose can all occur in the bathroom.

First, the bathroom floor and the shower floor can become extremely slippery when covered in water. Also, product buildup, such as soap scum, can also contribute to slip-and-fall accidents. If your bathroom is not properly constructed, it may not drain water, which can result in almost a hydroplane effect on your feet. Additionally, some shower and bathtub flooring does not have special grip strips. As you are showering and shampooing your hair, you can lose your balance in the shower, resulting in a fall.

Slip-and-fall accidents can result in injuries such as head trauma, lacerations, broken bones, and chipped teeth. If you happen to be knocked unconscious, there is a chance that you can lay for hours alone in your bathroom, possibly drowning.

Studies show that one of the most common bathroom injuries is being burned by scalding hot water. If you are washing your hands or stepping into the shower, some water heaters may be turned up too hot, resulting in burns to your hands, back, head, and body.Next, any accumulation in water can be dangerous for people who cannot swim. Even a few inches of bathwater in the tub can provide enough to kill a baby or a person who has fallen face down in the tub. Thus, you should never leave young children or elderly people alone in a bathroom. Also, toilet bowls hold enough water to cover someone's mouth and nose. You should consider always putting the lid down or even getting a lid latch to keep possible drowning victims out of the bathroom.

Also, if the tile or granite in your bathroom is poorly cut or construction, it can chip. This may lead to abrasions and lacerations from the sharp surfaces. Lastly, many people choose to keep their medicine cabinets in the bathroom. Curious kids and suicidal people may exploit this fact, resulting in mental damage or even death.

With all of the dangers that are present in bathrooms, you should keep your personal restroom as protected as possible against drownings, burns, and slips. You should also be able to trust a hotel to keep their bathroom safe as well. However, there is no guarantee that a hotel is vigilant about bathroom safety, which can result in an injury to you or someone you love.

By Joseph Devine