March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month, and a sobering reminder of how susceptible we are to potentially life-changing accidents and injuries.
Today, for example, at least 5.3 million Americans live with TBI (traumatic brain injury) related injuries, and each year, 2.2 million new victims are treated in our nation’s hospitals. And yet, maybe the most important thing to learn and remember about TBI is that it is not hereditary, and therefore can be prevented.
A great place to start is right in your own bathroom, especially if you have seniors or children under the age of 15 living with you, the two groups most likely to sustain a home-related brain injury.
With that in mind, here are some effective ways to prevent slipping and falling in the bathroom, the most common cause of head and brain injuries:
- Replace your toilet for a high-seat model, which rise 19” above the floor vs. the typical 13”. The shorter the distance to sit down and get back up, the lower the risk of falling.
- Place grab bars in and around your shower stall or tub.
- Replace your showerhead for a handheld model which eliminates the need to turn around.
- Place a non-slip mat inside and outside the tub or shower.
- Install an anti-scaled valve in your shower to eliminate sudden and extreme increases in water temperature.
- Consider replacing your bathroom floor with a non-slip surface like textured linoleum, carpet, vinyl, cork, bamboo, and rubber. Or, you can treat your current floor with a non-slip application.
At Arnold & Sons Plumbing, we can bring added safety and convenience into your home, starting in your bathroom or anywhere else you feel the greatest need. Contact us today to schedule an in-home consultation and proposal.
