House detective Stave Lafon discovers a dangerous situation while inspecting a home in Maryville, Tenn.--a lights switch has been installed in the shower of the home. Here's a lesson on the basics of bathroom safety.
Because the potential for accidents in the bathroom is so high, there are some common sense rules that should always be followed. The first--the one broken in Maryville , Tenn.--is that electricity and water shouldn't mix. That means no light switch in the shower...and no appliance cords long enough to reach the sink.
Most modern homes have bathroom outlets with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters like this that cut off the electricity if water does get into an appliance. If your home doesn't have these GFCI outlets, have them installed.
Another good idea for the bathroom: Non-skid mats, in the tub and on the floor . They'll increase the friction between wet feet and the floor or the inside of a tub or shower. And if you have young children in your home, here are a few additional safety tips.
- Keep medicines and cleaning chemicals out of reach, in locked cabinets.
- Make sure hot and cold taps are easily identified--and put soft covers on tub taps and spouts.
- Make sure bathroom doors cannot be locked from the inside.
- Finally, if you have children or seniors in the house, it's a good idea to put grab handles on the tub, in the shower, and next to the toilet.
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