In January, we celebrate new beginnings, new goals and bathroom safety! That’s right – it’s National Bathroom Safety Month, and we cannot emphasize enough just how important it is to stay safe in this part of the house! Each year, one in three Americans over the age of 65 experience a fall, and of those, 80 percent are in the bathroom. Below are a few tips and hints on how you can stay safe in the bathroom:

• Leave the door unlocked

If you do experience a fall and the door is left unlocked, it will be easier for your loved ones to come help you. If you are worried about privacy, hang an “occupied” sign outside when you are using it. Another thing to consider is getting a locked elevated toilet seat. It makes standing and sitting easier, and reduces the risk of having a fall in the first place.

• Be cautious around steam

When taking a hot bath or shower, steam can quickly build up, making the floors and surfaces slick and dangerous. The best way to combat steam is to have a bath safety mat inside the tub, and a secure bathroom rug on the floor outside of it. You also want to have the vent running (if you have one) and keep the door open a crack to let the steam out.

• Hand towel racks are not grab bars

The same bar that holds your light towels is not going to be able to support your weight. Many people are tempted to grab ahold of them as they get in and out of the shower, but we recommend you invest in a safety grab bar instead. It’s a rather nasty shock when a towel rack breaks in your hand and you fall to the floor!

• Dry off before exiting the tub

This means less water on the floor, thus less chance of you slipping. This is when a bath or shower chair can come in handy. Not only does it mean you can sit down while showering (which is great when you have limited mobility) it also makes it easier to dry off prior to stepping out of the shower.

We’re passionate about helping seniors remain independent for as long as they can. That’s why we carry as many bathroom safety products as we do in our online catalog.

In January, we celebrate new beginnings, new goals and bathroom safety! That’s right – it’s National Bathroom Safety Month, and we cannot emphasize enough just how important it is to stay safe in this part of the house! Each year, one in three Americans over the age of 65 experience a fall, and of those, 80 percent are in the bathroom. Below are a few tips and hints on how you can stay safe in the bathroom:

• Leave the door unlocked

If you do experience a fall and the door is left unlocked, it will be easier for your loved ones to come help you. If you are worried about privacy, hang an “occupied” sign outside when you are using it. Another thing to consider is getting a locked elevated toilet seat. It makes standing and sitting easier, and reduces the risk of having a fall in the first place.

• Be cautious around steam

When taking a hot bath or shower, steam can quickly build up, making the floors and surfaces slick and dangerous. The best way to combat steam is to have a bath safety mat inside the tub, and a secure bathroom rug on the floor outside of it. You also want to have the vent running (if you have one) and keep the door open a crack to let the steam out.

• Hand towel racks are not grab bars

The same bar that holds your light towels is not going to be able to support your weight. Many people are tempted to grab ahold of them as they get in and out of the shower, but we recommend you invest in a safety grab bar instead. It’s a rather nasty shock when a towel rack breaks in your hand and you fall to the floor!

• Dry off before exiting the tub

This means less water on the floor, thus less chance of you slipping. This is when a bath or shower chair can come in handy. Not only does it mean you can sit down while showering (which is great when you have limited mobility) it also makes it easier to dry off prior to stepping out of the shower.

We’re passionate about helping seniors remain independent for as long as they can. That’s why we carry as many bathroom safety products as we do in our online catalog.

One of the most dangerous rooms in the home is often the smallest: the bathroom. More falls occur there than in any other part of the house, and the CDC states that one out of every five falls among senior citizens results in serious injury. Since January is Bathroom Safety Month, Brevard Medical Equipment would like to provide you five ways to improve the safety of one area of your home:

• Get rid of your throw rugs.

While a throw rug provides a warm barrier between your feet and the cold tile floor, they’re one of the top causes of falls in the home. Replace them with nonslip strips or mats.

• Keep the bathroom floor dry.

We know this is often easier said than done, but there are a few things you can do to mitigate extra water on the floor. Try putting a shower chair or bench in the tub, so you can have a place to dry off on before exiting your bath. We also recommend using a weighted shower curtain to prevent leaks while you bathe.

• Install safety grab bars.

If you find yourself starting to slip, the last thing you want to do is grab onto a towel rack. They’re not meant to hold more than a few pounds, so chances are it will come off the wall and fall down with you. Safety grab bars, however, are meant to stay in place and stop a fall as it happens.

• Make sure there’s adequate lighting.

During the day, it’s easy to see the light switch and turn it on, but at night you may find yourself fumbling. Add nightlights in the hallway to light your path to the bathroom, and place another one in the bathroom itself. This way, you or a loved one don’t stumble into walls or obstacles in the dark.

• Consider installing a raised toilet seat.

Low toilet seats mean that you have to exert extra effort to get on and off the toilet. If you have limited mobility, this may potentially lead to a fall. A raised toilet seat can avert this, and some even come with handles that let you gently lower yourself or push yourself off the seat.

Did you know falls among senior citizens cost an average of $31 billion annually? By following the tips above, you can help prevent you or your loved one from being another statistic. We carry a number of bathroom safety products in our online catalog, and can make sure you have everything you need to keep you or your loved one safe.

Your CPAP machine represents a big investment, both in associated out-of-pocket expenses you may have and in your health itself. That’s why it’s crucial that your CPAP supplies are replaced on a regular basis. Below is a general timeline to help you know when it may be time to replace your CPAP supplies:

Schedule

A certain part of your CPAP machine will need to be replaced on a regular basis, so it’s good to start marking your calendar now. Your car needs regular oil changes, transmission flushes and other upkeep, so whatever you do now to keep yourself on track for your vehicle can also work for your CPAP machine.

1 Month – CPAP Cushions, Pillows and Filters

Once a month, examine your CPAP mask nasal cushions and CPAP pillows to see if they have any discoloration or cracks. If they do, you run the risk of irritating your skin and should consider replacing these aging CPAP supplies. This is also the time when you want to replace the filter in your CPAP machine, as it helps fight allergens.

3 Months – CPAP Mask

You need to examine your CPAP mask at the three-month mark to see if it needs to be replaced. If you are regularly cleaning it and replacing any worn-out CPAP mask pillows and CPAP mask cushions, then there’s a good chance that it’s still usable. However, if the CPAP mask is discolored, bent or torn, it’s time to replace it.

6 Months – CPAP Water Chamber and Mask Straps

At the six month mark, examine the water chamber to your CPAP machine’s water chamber. If it is cloudy or discolored, it may need to be replaced. Likewise, your CPAP tubing can harbor bacteria, so you also want to replace it at 6 months. Finally, this is also around the time that the elastic or Velcro on your headgear or chin strap can become worn.

We know how important sleep apnea therapy is, and part of that is keeping your CPAP machine and supplies maintained. Check out our online catalog for all the CPAP supplies that we carry.