Why the Tub and Shower Area is the Most Dangerous Area of Your Home

The tub and shower area is the most dangerous part of your home because it’s the only place where water, hard surfaces, elevation changes, and daily use meet in a confined space. Given these factors, anyone using the area is at risk of falling and injuring themselves. Falling in this environment can cause some of the most serious injuries.

Homeowners don’t tend to think the bathroom (especially the tub and shower area) is so dangerous, especially when it’s a place of comfort and privacy. Safety is often a second thought until someone is injured. At that point, it’s a little too late.

Shugarman’s Bath is a tub and shower remodeling specialist. We’ve heard plenty of horror stories about individuals hurting themselves and falling in the area. 

This short guide will explain what makes the tub and shower area risky, how that risk increases over time, and how the right design choices can significantly reduce the risk. 

Table of Contents:

1. What Makes Tubs and Showers So Risky in the First Place?
2. Why Does the Risk of Someone Getting Hurt in the Tub or Shower Increase Over Time?
3. Who's Most At Risk in the Tub and Shower Area?
4. How Can You Reduce These Risks in Your Tub and Shower Area?

What Makes Tubs and Showers So Risky in the First Place?

The tub and shower area combines multiple hazards, especially during daily use. 

Water constantly reduces traction, while smooth surfaces offer little grip. Bathtubs require you to step over higher thresholds. Some showers require you to shift your balance in a tight space. And there’s limited visibility due to steam and lighting conditions. 

The surfaces here aren’t forgiving when you fall. Falls in the bathroom tend to cause more serious injuries than in other areas of the home.

Why Does the Risk of Someone Getting Hurt in the Tub or Shower Increase Over Time?

Surfaces lose traction over time due to daily use. They get more slippery, especially when those surfaces haven’t dried. Plus, we aren’t getting any younger. We all experience changes in balance, strength, and mobility. 

None of this happens overnight. It’s a slow process, which is why many homeowners don’t recognize the growing risk until something goes wrong.

Who’s Most at Risk in the Tub and Shower Area?

Everyone faces risk in the tub and shower area, though some people are more vulnerable than others. 

Those at high risk in the tub and shower area include older adults, people with joint, balance, or mobility challenges, anyone recovering from using a wheelchair or walker, and even healthy homeowners who are tired, rushed, or sore after a long day.

How Can You Reduce These Risks in Your Tub and Shower Area?

Thankfully, risk in this area is controllable. Thoughtful remodeling choices can improve safety and daily comfort, including:

• Low or no-threshold entries
• Slip-resistant surfaces
• Built-in seating
• Properly placed grab bars
• Improved lighting and layout flow

Safety works best when you’re proactive, not reactive. Waiting for an accident to happen is an expensive and painful way to learn what your bathroom needs. 

Read our more in-depth guide on how you can make your tub and shower area safer. That way, you can learn about more temporary and permanent solutions to make it safer.

If you have any questions or are ready to discuss your space, Contact Shugarman’s Bath to learn how to make your space safer.

The opinions expressed in the referenced materials are those of the authors only, not necessarily of Shugarman’s Bath. While these referenced materials are useful in answering generalized questions, each bathroom is unique. For a particular question about your tub or shower remodeling project, contact your Shugarman’s Bath consultant.