Charlie Colin, former bassist for the band Train, died after falling in the bathroom of a friend’s house, where he was housekeeping. He was 58 years old.
Colin’s cause of death is shocking, but bathroom injuries are quite common. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAbout 234,000 people went to the emergency room for non-fatal bathroom-related injuries in 2008. The majority of these bathroom injuries were related to the bathtub or shower area.
Although the CDC has reported non-fatal bathroom accidents, falls can be fatal, particularly for older adults. In 2021, the CDC reported that between 2020 and 2021, 38,742 adults ages 65 and older died as a result of unintentional falls. However, all ages, especially 41 to 60 years old, are susceptible to falls in the bathroom, according to a 2018 study.
“It is important to understand that the risk of falling in the bathroom is not limited to the elderly,” Brittany Ferri, an occupational therapist at the National Council on Aging, told Yahoo Life — with Colin’s death tragically proving that point. “People of all ages should exercise caution and be aware of potential dangers,” she continues. “It’s a reminder that anyone can benefit from taking precautions to prevent falls, regardless of age or health.”
What makes bathrooms particularly dangerous places?
Ferri says health factors such as low blood sugar, vision problems, dizziness or medication side effects can increase the chances of falling.
However, bathrooms, in general, are particularly dangerous places in the home. The room itself has fall risk factors, such as:
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Slippery and wet floors
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Hard non-carpeted surfaces such as tile
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Lack of grab bars or places to steady yourself
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The presence of immobile luminaires that create obstacles
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Bad lighting
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Loose rugs or bath mats
Bathrooms also tend to be smaller rooms in the house, which can make maneuvering around them difficult. This can lead to more easily tripping (especially in cluttered areas) and falling. People may also be more likely to injure themselves by hitting their head on a sink or counter.
Amanda Joy, physician assistant and associate medical director at MedStar Health Urgent Care, told Yahoo Life that there are also times in the bathroom when you may quickly change positions, which can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure that leads to dizziness or even fainting. This can happen by picking something up in the bathtub or getting up from the toilet. Bathing in extremely hot water can also cause this change in blood pressure, she says.
What can you do to prevent falls?
Joy says you can prevent falls by:
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using a non-slip bath mat in and out of the tub or shower
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using night lights to increase visibility
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immediately clean up any puddles or condensation on the floor
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keep bath products higher in the bathtub or shower to avoid the need to bend over
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remove tripping or falling hazards such as clothing or towels from the floor
“If there are elderly people in the house, you can install grab bars near the toilet or near the shower,” says Joy. “It’s also a good idea to make sure the bathroom door opens outwards if you fall, so you don’t block anyone coming to help you.”
