Former Prepare rocker Charlie Colin, 58, died after slipping within the bathe. This is why specialists say bogs are uniquely hazardous locations.

Charlie Colin, former bassist for the band Train, died after falling within the toilet of a pal’s house the place he was house-sitting. He was 58.

Colin’s reason for dying is stunning, however toilet accidents are pretty widespread. In response to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 234,000 folks went to the emergency room for non-fatal accidents associated to bogs in 2008. Most of those toilet accidents have been associated to the bath or bathe space.

Although the CDC reported on non-fatal accidents within the toilet, falls may be deadly, notably within the case of older adults. In 2021, the CDC reported that between 2020 and 2021, 38,742 adults 65 and older died as a result of unintentional falls. Nevertheless, all ages, particularly these 41 to 60 years previous, are inclined to falls within the toilet, based on a 2018 study.

“You will need to perceive that the danger of falling within the toilet is not restricted to the aged,” Brittany Ferri, an occupational therapist with the Nationwide Council on Ageing, tells Yahoo Life — with Colin’s dying tragically proving that time. “Folks of all ages needs to be cautious and conscious of the potential risks,” she continues. “It is a reminder that anybody can profit from taking precautions to stop falls, no matter age or well being standing.”

What makes bogs notably harmful locations?

Ferri says that well being elements corresponding to low blood sugar, poor imaginative and prescient, dizziness or remedy unwanted side effects can enhance the probabilities of falling.

Nevertheless, bogs, on the whole, are notably hazardous locations within the house. The room itself has falling danger elements, corresponding to:

• Slippery, moist flooring

• Exhausting surfaces with out carpet, corresponding to tile

• Lack of seize bars or locations to regular oneself

• The presence of immovable fixtures that create obstacles

• Poor lighting

• Free tub mats or rugs

Loos additionally are usually smaller rooms within the house, which may make maneuvering round them tougher. This might extra simply result in tripping (notably in cluttered areas) and falling. Folks may additionally be extra more likely to injure themselves by hitting their head on a sink or counter.

Amanda Joy, a doctor assistant and affiliate medical director of MedStar Well being Pressing Care, tells Yahoo Life that there are additionally instances within the toilet when it’s possible you’ll rapidly change place, which may trigger a sudden drop in blood stress that results in lightheadedness and even fainting. That would come from choosing one thing up within the tub, or standing up from the bathroom. Showering in extraordinarily scorching water also can trigger this blood stress change, she says

What are you able to do to stop falls?

Pleasure says you possibly can forestall falls by:

• utilizing a non-slip tub mat each inside and outdoors of the bathtub or bathe

• utilizing night time lights to extend visibility

• cleansing up any puddles or condensation on the ground instantly

• preserving bathing merchandise larger up within the tub or bathe to stop the necessity to bend over

• eradicating fall or tripping hazards like clothes or towels from the ground

“If older adults are within the family, you possibly can set up seize bars by the bathroom or close to the bathe,” Pleasure says. “It’s additionally good to ensure your toilet door swings outward, in case you do fall, in order that you don’t block the doorway for these arriving that can assist you.”