Slippery When Wet - tribunedigital-chicagotribune

February 26, 1993|By Nancy Maes.

The bathroom can be a dangerous place, but it doesn't have to be. More and more manufacturers and designers are finding ways to make them safer.

When California designer Gary White was asked to design a safe bathroom for the 1992 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, the statistics on bathroom accidents guided his work. "The No. 1 cause of injuries in the home is slipping and falling," he says, "so the flooring in a bathroom should be textured so that it is slip-resistant."

Grab bars and rails to hold onto when getting into and out of the bathtub can also prevent falls. For further safety, White used a foam-cushioned bathtub, as well as cabinets and countertops with large, rounded smooth shapes instead of sharp corners and edges, and benches to sit on when drying off and getting dressed.

Burns from scalding hot water are the second leading cause of accidents in the bathroom. Children are particularly vulnerable to water that is too hot. "Because a child's skin is one-third the thickness of an adult's, children are more susceptible to burns," explains White. "A small child exposed to 140-degree water for less than 3 seconds can receive a third-degree burn."

To prevent burns from tap water, White recommends using faucets that are pressure-balanced to eliminate sudden surges of hot water as well as installing a device to set a maximum temperature for hot water.

The third leading cause of injury is electric shock. To eliminate the problem, White chose to use low-voltage lighting and accents created with fiber optics. Poisoning is also a danger, but locks on medicine cabinets can keep harmful products out of the reach of children.

"The curve of accidents goes up at both ends of the age scale, for the young and the old, but 90 percent of these safety features apply to everyone," says White. Creating a safe environment for all ages, however, no longer means sacrificing style. "The safety aspects can be integrated into the design of the bathroom and contribute to the aesthetics rather than detract from them," concludes White.

Below are only a few of a growing number of new products designed to create safe bathrooms. The cost of the products featured are suggested retail prices. You can contact the listed manufacturers for help in finding a retailer in your area who carries a specific item.

Bars and beauty

In the past, grab bars came in stainless steel and added an unappealing, institutional look to home bathrooms. Taymor Industries Inc. has introduced a series of grab bars and tub rails it says will complement any decor. They are available in chrome with a knurled, slip-resistant surface as well as in white enamel. Suggested retail price: $15 to $50, depending on model. Taymor Industries Inc., 1586 Zephyr Ave., Box 56148, Hayward, Calif. 94545-6148. Phone: 800-388-9887.

Cushioned tub

The Soft Bathtub has a non-slip surface and is cushioned with soft padding, not only for comfort, but also to reduce the chance of injury in case of a fall. The surface is non-porous and is easy to clean without harsh chemicals or heavy scrubbing. The Soft Bathtub is available in several sizes and colors. Price: $1,750 to $3,500. International Cushioned Products Inc., 1532 U.S. 41 Bypass South, Suite 288, Venice, Fla. 34293. Phone: 800-882-7638.

Sure-footing

For an easy, inexpensive way to create safe footing in the bathtub and shower, Myro Inc. offers a variety of no-slip vinyl safety treads. These stickers, which adhere to the bottom of the tub, are available in 10-inch strips or in octagon shapes in white or clear. Other treads, shaped like a seashell or a fish, come in white only. Price: $2.49 to $2.69 for a package of 10 to 12 treads. Myro Inc., P.O. Box 23954, Milwaukee, Wis. 53223. Phone: 800-222-6976.

Anti-scald device

Gerber's SafeTemp Anti-Scald Tub & Shower Valve can be set so that a maximum water temperature cannot be exceeded, thus making scalding impossible. In addition, if there is a sudden loss of hot or cold water in the system, SafeTemp automatically adjusts so that the flowing water does not change temperature. Price: $210 for the valve; $330 for the valve with tub spout and shower head and arm. Gerber Plumbing Fixtures Corp., 4656 W. Touhy Ave., Lincolnwood, Ill. 60646. Phone: 708-675-6570.

Faucets and fittings

The KWCforma series of faucets and fittings combines futuristic design and safety technology. The shower mixer is pressure-balanced so that the temperature of the water flow remains constant even when water is turned on elsewhere. The series also has a scald-guard that can be set at any one of seven settings to control the maximum water temperature. In addition, the products include a device to reduce the flow of water as a conservation measure. The KWCforma is available in white, black and chrome and a number of color combinations. Price: $454 to $626. Rohl Corp., 1559 Sunland Lane, Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626. Phone: 800-777-9762.

A check on curiosity

Tot-Lok is a magnetically operated cabinet lock that will prevent children from getting into cabinets and drawers. The lock is placed inside the door or drawer, so as not to distract from the bathroom's decor. Tot-Lok is easy to install and can only be opened with a magnetic key. The lock can be deactivated when children are not around. Price: $12.99 for a starter set that includes two locks, one key and hardware for installation; $4.99 for an extra lock or key. Rev-A-Shelf Inc., 2409 Plantside Dr., Jeffersontown, Ky. 40299. Phone: 800-626-1126.