Grab bars prevent injury from occurring in the first place. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four older adults falls are reported yearly, and one results in severe injuries. Most fall-related injuries are being struck in the head or breaking bones of the wrist, arm, ankle, or hip. The bathroom is one of the most common places for such accidents. An older adult with a balance problem is said to benefit the most from grab bars when bathing and using the bathroom. The CDC recommends installing grab bars inside and outside of the tub, shower, and next to a toilet has the potential to minimize the risk of falling.
How do we use suction grab bars?
Suction grab bars are an easy-to-install stabilizing device seldom attached to a wall or on a hard surface in the house. As a result, little to no drilling and screwing knowledge is required to place the device. Anyone can install a suction grab bar.
Why use grab bars?
Since restrooms and shower rooms are slick and slipper by design, the potential older person with weak muscles and an unbalanced gait to fall. Instead of stepping forward on a slippery surface, one can lean on the grab bars to prevent slipping and falling. By placing grab bars strategically on the shower walls, we have an object that helps our seniors sit, stand or transfer seamlessly without falling and without the worries of falling.
Is a suction cup grab bar safe?
Ensuring the safety of someone we love and care for is paramount. We have listed some important tips related to suction grab bar use
Indications
You can use suction cup grab bars to assist with balance in the bathroom, especially during entry and exit from the shower or tub. In this regard, it is important to know there are permanent grab bars; however, we can easily place and remove them as we want. For example, a person who is recuperating or recovering from surgery due to lying in bed for a long time may have developed weaker muscle or balance issues. A mounted close-by suction cup grab bar provides additional stability and helps restore balance temporarily. When the person fully recovers, can remove the grab bar. Again you can also place these bars according to where space is tight vertically, inclined, or horizontally. A suction-mounted safety grab bar can easily be removed and repositioned, so you have to call install to repair the installs. In short, you can install suction grab bars as often as you want to your satisfaction.
The luxury of installing these bars greatly expands to leased apartments where drilling is restricted, and if you stay with friends or family since you do not want to install something, they may not want it when you leave.
Precautions
Improperly fitted suction grab bars are culprits, a disaster waiting to happen. Users and caregivers should understand where it is not recommended for use. Such as housing suction-mounted grab bars to stand up from a seated position or using the suction grab bar for total body weight support.
Installation of Suction grab bar
A suction-mount grab bar requires no installation tools, leaving no traces on the wall after installation or removal. However, it is necessary to ensure suction grab bars are applied directly onto flat, clean, and non-porous surfaces. Uneven or wet surfaces are not ideal for installation; easy pull can dismount the grab bar. We should not paint or create textured tiles or drywall to mount the product. The suction cups are placed over grout lines of wall tiles that are a minimum of 4" x 4" in dimension. You will indicate a strong suction hold on the safety indicator by engaging the vacuum lever on the grab bar. Grab bars need to be attached securely to the wall before being used.
Inspection
As the suction grip on grab bars can deteriorate over time, you should check them before use. Once it becomes loose, it needs to be taken apart and reattached.
The grab bar could become detached from the wall during use, posing a serious injury risk. It must be replaced if an airtight seal cannot be maintained on suction-mounted grab bars.
Maintenance
For the grab bar to attach securely to the wall, caregivers should keep the suction cups free of dust and oil. You can clean the suction cups with soap and water and dry them thoroughly before using them.
Suction cups will lose their elasticity if exposed to sunlight or freezing temperatures for long periods. If the suction cups are damaged or deteriorated, replace the grab bar immediately.
When to use grab rails with suction cups?
It seems logical to use suction cup grab bars as temporary items in particular cases in private and domestic facilities, such as public toilets, showers, and bathrooms. Regulations and guides such as Document M require that accessible toilets, showers, and restrooms are fixed to the wall.
These assistive points around the house boost confidence and ease recovery for someone temporarily disabled after a mild fracture or minor surgery. Despite this, it is always important to know that suction grab handles cannot support an individual's weight.
If one is unsure where to fix small grab rails, using the repositioning feature may be convenient—using a higher wall, slightly tilted, closer to the toilet. Once you have determined where to place the grab rail, experiment with the suction cups for a few days. Then, install a similar rail with solid and resistant fixings, such as stainless steel or antibacterial polymers.
In addition to being portable, suction cup grab rails can also be taken with the user when they visit others or rent an apartment for a short time. If one plans to stay long, we suggest having the owner drill and screw grab rails into the wall; later, tenants would appreciate these extra supports.
The therapist may find other appropriate contexts for using grab rails and give specific recommendations. You are encouraged to contact an occupational therapist, an expert in this field.
Choosing an appropriate grab rail involves more than just considering the price. We need to consider durability, safety, and, of course, peace of mind. Sky Medical Supplies plans on providing detailed information about all its sanitary accessories. Whether you're looking for a hand dryer, grab rails or easy-to-use products like a sensor tap, don't hesitate to contact our customer service team using the form below or by phone. We want to ensure our customers choose the best option for their needs.
What makes suction grab bars potentially dangerous?
Suction grab bars aren't without limitations, however. Some of these issues include the fact that they only attach to flat non-porous areas, the fact that they cannot bear weight on them for an extended period, the fact that they loosen up with time, and the fact that they come unhinged from the wall entirely.
Suppose you face mobility issues due to a medical condition, illness, or injury. In that case, suction grab bars may be used temporarily as a safety measure, but not indefinitely.
The devices have caused many injuries because they slipped, loosened, or ultimately came off surfaces where they were placed, resulting in devastating falls.
Final thoughts
Watching for the bathroom's safety with your family would be best. Bathroom grab bars with suction cups make maintaining balance in the bath easier. We provide a wide range of medical grab bars to ensure the safety of elders around Denver, Colorado. Sky Medical Supplies is the main provider of medical bathing supplies around Denver, Colorado. Check out all medical Supplies online and visit our store in Denver, Colorado. We carry various bathroom assist products, such as shower sprinkler heads, bath mattresses, toilet raisers, and foldable bedside commodes.