Moen 8912 Bathroom Grip Bar

If your household includes a senior citizen, you probably already know the dangers of slips and falls. According to the National Institute on Aging, 80 percent of household falls happen in the bathroom, which is probably no surprise. With so many slippery surfaces, it can be tough to fall-proof this all-too-important area of your home.

But you don’t have to be over a certain age to slip on a wet surface. Even children can slip in a tub or shower, which is why products like adhesive stickers and mats are popular for showers and bathtubs. While mats and stickers can help you keep your footing while you’re showering, though, stepping in and out can be risky.

Grip bars have become a popular way to give bathers the support they need to safely climb in and out of a shower or tub. You may think that these bars require professional installation, but they’re actually very easy to set up. You can even buy those that hang using suction cups, but for a more reliable mount, you may want to purchase one that attaches to the wall using screws. This merely requires drilling a hole and screwing it in. If you’re handy with a set of tools, you’ll likely find you can do this fairly easily.

• Not all grip bars are built to support your entire body weight. Some are designed to merely help you stay balanced as you step over the lip of your shower or bathtub. Check your bar’s capacity before you put your entire body weight on it.
• Length is an important factor when choosing a grip bar. If you want a bar that runs the full length of your tub, you’ll need one that’s at least 32 inches in length. If you’re installing it vertically for stepping into a shower or tub, you have more leeway. Consider the variety of heights of the people who will be using it. If your household includes children and a tall adult, you’ll want a bar that’s long enough to be at a comfortable height to all household members.
• If you’re purchasing a grip bar that has to be mounted, you’ll need wall studs to give the screws something to attach to. Use a stud finder to make sure you have studs at the points you’ll need them before buying.
• Grip bars that install using suction cups can be convenient, but they can also be less reliable. You’ll need to wet the suction cup to get it to stick, then press firmly, making sure there are no air bubbles. Test the suction thoroughly before you rely on it to hold up under pressure.