The act of exiting a bathtub is a common but significant safety hazard in the home. The combination of slippery wet surfaces, a high step-over barrier, and the need for balance contributes to thousands of bathroom falls annually. These injuries are a major concern across all age groups, with the risk increasing dramatically for those with existing mobility limitations. Learning and implementing secure exit methods is essential to ensure personal safety.
Standard Technique for Safe Tub Exit
The safest way to exit a standard tub, assuming no specialized equipment is installed, focuses on stability and a low center of gravity. First, fully drain the water from the tub before attempting to stand, eliminating the instability water creates. Remain in a seated position on the tub floor, or on the edge if you used a seated entry technique.
From the seated position, turn your body to face the faucet end of the tub, keeping your knees bent and your spine straight. Use the side of the tub or a securely mounted grab bar for leverage as you transition to a hands-and-knees position on the tub floor. This movement minimizes the sudden demand on your leg muscles and keeps your weight low to the ground.
Once on your hands and knees, push up to a kneeling stance, placing a hand firmly on the tub edge or grab bar closest to the exit. Bring one foot flat onto the tub floor, maintaining a wide base of support. Carefully push through your feet and hands to rise to a standing position, keeping your head upright to prevent dizziness. Slowly lift one foot over the tub wall and secure it on the floor outside.
Environmental Safety Measures
Grab Bars
Modifying the bathroom environment provides a passive layer of protection against unexpected slips and falls. This involves the strategic placement of permanent, wall-mounted grab bars, which must be anchored directly into wall studs to reliably support a minimum of 250 pounds of force. A vertical grab bar installed near the tub’s entry point offers a secure handhold for stepping over the high edge. A horizontal bar placed along the long wall, typically mounted 33 to 36 inches above the floor, provides continuous support while standing or sitting. An angled grab bar may offer the most natural grip for individuals needing assistance transitioning from seated to standing.
Non-Slip Surfaces
A non-slip mat inside the tub, ideally made of rubber or Thermoplastic Elastomer with suction cups, prevents feet from slipping on the wet surface. Mats placed outside the tub should have a non-skid backing to prevent shifting on the bathroom floor. These mats must be regularly cleaned and allowed to air-dry completely to prevent mold growth and maintain the integrity of their gripping surfaces.
Mobility Aids and Devices
For individuals with significant limitations in strength or balance, specialized mobility devices facilitate a safer transfer. A bath seat is a stable chair placed entirely inside the tub, suited for users who can safely step over the tub wall but require a seated position for bathing. This device reduces the risk of falling due to standing fatigue or instability while showering.
A transfer bench is a wider seat that straddles the tub wall, with two legs inside and two legs outside. This design allows the user to sit on the bench outside the tub and slide across the seat, lifting their legs over the barrier one at a time. This eliminates the necessity of standing to step over the high wall.
For those who cannot perform the sit-and-slide motion or lift their legs, a powered bath lift offers the highest level of assistance. This motorized device lowers the seated user into the tub and then gently raises them back up to the rim height using a rechargeable, battery-operated mechanism. This provides a safe, push-button solution for entry and exit.