Taking a nice long bath is something not enough adults do that could help to relieve the every day tension and inflammation that can cause long term or permanent injuries. Such practices can put an end to the pain and stress of every day living by encouraging adults to get in the tub and their cares slip away.
But before you run the water and hop in with your flippers on, it’s important for you to remember that adults, just like children, are susceptible to drowning accidents and other injuries that can happen in the bathtub. In fact, recent statistics indicate that around 70 percent of drownings in the state of Arizona each year involve adults aged 20 and older, according to the Arizona Department Health Services (AZDHS).
Adult Bathtub Accidents
As adults, we often think of the accidents that can befall children in the bathtub but rarely think of ourselves or the elderly people that we can for. The most common injuries that can befall a person in the bathtub include:
falling asleep and slipping into the water, causing drowning;
slipping and falling into the bathtub full of water;
slipping and falling out of the bathtub or shower and hitting your head or other body parts, causing serious head or brain injuries or broken bones; and
running the water too hot, causing burns that you are not aware of — adults have a higher heat tolerance than children and may not realize the danger at first.
How to Avoid Adult Bathtub Injuries
The best way to keep your tub time a time for relaxation is to modify the same rules you’d use for a child and apply them to yourself or your elderly loved one.
Never leave an ailing, sick, or weakened person in the bathtub or shower by themselves.
If you have trouble stepping over the raised side of your bathtub, purchase and install a walk-in bathtub.
Make sure that your water heater is at 120-degrees Fahrenheit or below at all times to ensure safety for everyone in your household who needs to use the bathtub or shower.
Avoid bathing or showering when you’re exhausted.