Stylish Safety Grab Rails for Your Bathrooms
Installing a safety grab rail in your bathroom space can significantly boost safety and accessibility. Falls in the bathroom are common, especially among older adults. Installing safety grab rails is a crucial preventative measure to address this concern and promote bathroom safety. That’s why vidaXL offers a range of well-designed shower grab rails that prioritize safety without compromising elegance.
You can shop these grab rails in materials such as aluminium, steel, stainless steel and plastic and finishes such as chrome, premium white, and silver.
Who Should Install the Safety Grab Rails?
Anyone can install the safety grab rails in the bathrooms. Typically, the decision to install these valuable parts depends on several factors. However, people in the following categories should install them to minimize injuries.
The Elderly: If you are above 65, the chances of falling in the bathroom are high. At this age, balance and coordination are declining. So you may feel weak or dizzy. To minimize the risk of falls, install high-quality bathroom grab handles.
People with conditions that limit mobility: Some medical conditions, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson's disease, affect mobility. So, if you have such diseases, your chances of falling while in the bathroom are high. So, you need to install these bathroom grab handles for your safety.
People with disability: The grab rails offer support and stability, allowing them to navigate the bathroom independently.
Those with a history of falling in the bathroom: Have you ever fallen in your bathroom? If you have a history of falls, install a shower grab rail in your bathroom to prevent future falls.
All bath grab rails UK offers can prevent accidents and injuries and improve accessibility and mobility if installed and used properly. Additionally, they can be used as assistive devices for ageing and people with disability.
However, you can minimize the risk of falling by wearing a slipper with good traction, using a bath seat if you cannot stand for long or use non-slip mats.
How to Get the Most out of Your Safety Grab Rail
Below are helpful tips that help you effectively utilize your safety grab rails.
-
Strategic Positioning: Position your grab rails at places where you can easily reach them and with much ease. So, consider your range of movement, strength, and height. Typically, install them at a point that allows you to sustain a firm and effective grasp.
-
Secure Mounting: Always mount the shower grab rail into study surfaces such as studs or reinforced walls. Fully support the grab rails at all fixing points. Also, fix at least two points to studs at each end of the rail. If you are weighty, you may need additional fixtures and wall reinforcement. Most importantly, follow the manufacturer's guidelines when installing.
-
Firm Grip: When using grab rails for support, grip them firmly with both hands. Avoid grasping them loosely or with one hand, as this could lead to slipping or losing balance.
-
Maintain Body Mechanics: Maintain proper body mechanics while using grab rails. Bend your knees and avoid twisting or turning your body excessively while relying on the rails for support.
-
Regular Inspection: Regularly inspect the grab rails to ensure they remain securely mounted and free from damage. Tighten any loose screws or replace damaged components promptly.
Furthermore, keep the weight limit requirements in mind and always keep the safety grab bars clean and free from any slippery substance.
What Are the Available Types of Bathroom Grab Rails?
Bath grab bars come in a variety of styles and sizes. The most common types of safety grab bars include:
Wall-mounted. Mounting screws and anchors securely attach these grab bars to the wall. They can be straight or angled.
Suction. These grab bars attach to the wall with suction cups and are often used as a temporary support measure. You can use them while recovering from certain surgeries or injuries or when traveling. A suction cup grab bar is suitable for assisting with balance and is not intended to support your full body weight. Again, the suction usually becomes less over time, so regularly check.
Free-standing. These can be toilet enclosures with stand-alone rails and a safety base to help with sitting down and standing up. Usually, they have rubber buffers to keep them in place and prevent damage to your floor.
How to Choose Correct Safety Grab Rails for Your Bathroom
Your needs dictate the type of bathroom grab rail to install. Nevertheless, here are the most important considerations:
Material
Stainless steel grab rails are the most common, although you’ll find options in other materials like aluminum, plastic, and resin. Regardless of the material, check the seals around the holes to ensure no water seeps into the nails. Otherwise, it will cause rusting.
Finish
Available finishes include polished, anti-slip or rubber surfaces. A slip-resistant surface works much better because the friction between your hand and the grab rail requires less strength to maintain a firm grip.
Also, choose safety grab rails with a colour contrasting with the wall surface for better visibility.
Length and Diameter
Your hand must fully encircle and be in contact with the safety grab rail. 3 to 4 cm is the recommended diameter, while the recommended length should be at least 10 cm. Select a grab rail based on your needs or the size of your bathroom.