A Quebec man is planning to launch a lawsuit against a private seniors' residence in suburban Montreal because he says his 94-year-old father died after suffering scald burns in a bathtub.
This is the second time in 18 months that a senior has died in that same nursing home of burns resulting from scalding water and in the years 1997 to 2007 nineteen seniors have died after being burned by hot water in senior residences in Quebec, Canada. Read more
In order to protect seniors and others with disabilities from being scalded in the bathtub, Safety Bath Inc. installs a water temperature limiting valve in all of its walk in bathtubs.
The water temperature limiting valve is designed to allow the water temperature of the water passing into the faucet to be set at a certain temperature. This is to be done by the installer or the person responsible for maintaining the bathtub. The valve ensures that the temperature of the water will not go beyond the limit that is set.
At present the recommendation for water temperature entering a bathtub is 49 degrees C (120 degrees F). It is expected that that recommendation will be changed to 43 degrees C (107 degrees F), which still appears to be a temperature at which aging skin could be easily burned. While Safety Bath products are manufactured with a water temperature limiting valve, it remains imperative that plumbers and housing maintenance workers understand the reasoning for the limiting valve and set it accordingly.
For further information on walk in bathtubs visit http://www.safetybath.com
Monday, November 1, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Secrets that Walk in Bathtub Manufacturers Do Not Want You to Know
Walk in bathtub manufacturers do not always create products that are in the best interests of their end users. Before you buy, learn what they do not want you know !!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Do Walk in Bathtubs Have Design Flaws?
Not all walk-in bathtubs are created equal. Without realizing it many walk in bathtub manufacturers have created their products with design flaws. Purchasers need to be aware of those design flaws.
Step in height
This is a safety issue. Most walk in bath tubs have a high step into the tub of 6 to 7 inches. This height is actually dangerous for people with limited mobility. The reason they buy a walk in bathtub is because they can’t climb stairs or take large steps. Remember the purpose of the walk in bathtub is making bathing possible for those who cannot get in or out of a regular bathtub.
Tile Flange
A tile flange is the lip that extends above the bath tub by about an inch and a half. This allows the finishing material (tile, tub surround, etc) to hang over the lip to protect the drywall backing from getting wet and deteriorating. Most building codes require a tile flange. Many walk in bathtub manufacturers have neglected to add a tile flange to their bathtubs.
Bathtub size
Bigger is not always better. While manufacturers’ attempt to impress would-be purchasers by the size of their bathtubs, there are two things to keep in mind. If you are putting your bathtub in an existing bathroom it needs to fit, not only in the bathroom, but through the door. Secondly, the larger the size, the more water the bathtub will hold, making for a longer fill and drain time. Some people think that they want a bathtub where they can be immersed in water. That’s a great idea; but think how long it would take to fill and drain that tub while you sit inside waiting - that’s why such a bathtub does not exist. Remember too that when sitting in a traditional bathtub, your body is never immersed so why would you expect it to be in a walk in bathtub.
For further information regarding bathing safety and walk in bathtubs visit www.safetybath.com
Step in height
This is a safety issue. Most walk in bath tubs have a high step into the tub of 6 to 7 inches. This height is actually dangerous for people with limited mobility. The reason they buy a walk in bathtub is because they can’t climb stairs or take large steps. Remember the purpose of the walk in bathtub is making bathing possible for those who cannot get in or out of a regular bathtub.
Tile Flange
A tile flange is the lip that extends above the bath tub by about an inch and a half. This allows the finishing material (tile, tub surround, etc) to hang over the lip to protect the drywall backing from getting wet and deteriorating. Most building codes require a tile flange. Many walk in bathtub manufacturers have neglected to add a tile flange to their bathtubs.
Bathtub size
Bigger is not always better. While manufacturers’ attempt to impress would-be purchasers by the size of their bathtubs, there are two things to keep in mind. If you are putting your bathtub in an existing bathroom it needs to fit, not only in the bathroom, but through the door. Secondly, the larger the size, the more water the bathtub will hold, making for a longer fill and drain time. Some people think that they want a bathtub where they can be immersed in water. That’s a great idea; but think how long it would take to fill and drain that tub while you sit inside waiting - that’s why such a bathtub does not exist. Remember too that when sitting in a traditional bathtub, your body is never immersed so why would you expect it to be in a walk in bathtub.
For further information regarding bathing safety and walk in bathtubs visit www.safetybath.com
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Safety Bath?… I’m Confused
Walk in bathtubs are everywhere on the internet. The walk in bathtub concept is relatively new. In 1992, when the concept first began, they were impossible to find, however, since that time the concept has grown exponentially as have the number of companies offering them online.
A walk in bathtub is a bathtub with a door that allows accessible bathtub entrance. There are a variety of styles, prices and manufacturers. Walk in bathtubs have become a popular item with seniors and baby boomers alike. Installed in private homes, retirement residences, assisted living facilities or long term care facilities, the walk in bathtub provides safe and comfortable bathing for those who want to remain independent. Although somewhat costly, the price of a walk in bathtub is less than what it might cost to stay in a care home for a month or two.
Because the walk in bathtub is a relative new comer to the market, many people have not even heard of such an item and those who have are not sure what to call them. Arising from the fact that a walk in bathtub is a safety item, many have come to calling a walk in bathtub “safety bath”. The name “Safety Bath” has come to refer to any type of walk in bathtub just as tissues have become known as Kleenex, adhesive bandages are commonly called Band Aids and snow machines are Skidoos.
Interestingly enough, the name Safety Bath, though synonymous with the walk in bathtub, is the name of the company that originated the walk in bathtub. That company began in Saskatchewan, Canada in 1992 when the inventor of the walk in bathtub, Ladimer Kowalchuk built such a tub for his dad who could not use a regular bathtub.
While other companies use the name with abandon, and it has become generic through suggestion, there is really only one true Safety Bath and that is this one.
Confused? … not any more.
A walk in bathtub is a bathtub with a door that allows accessible bathtub entrance. There are a variety of styles, prices and manufacturers. Walk in bathtubs have become a popular item with seniors and baby boomers alike. Installed in private homes, retirement residences, assisted living facilities or long term care facilities, the walk in bathtub provides safe and comfortable bathing for those who want to remain independent. Although somewhat costly, the price of a walk in bathtub is less than what it might cost to stay in a care home for a month or two.
Because the walk in bathtub is a relative new comer to the market, many people have not even heard of such an item and those who have are not sure what to call them. Arising from the fact that a walk in bathtub is a safety item, many have come to calling a walk in bathtub “safety bath”. The name “Safety Bath” has come to refer to any type of walk in bathtub just as tissues have become known as Kleenex, adhesive bandages are commonly called Band Aids and snow machines are Skidoos.
Interestingly enough, the name Safety Bath, though synonymous with the walk in bathtub, is the name of the company that originated the walk in bathtub. That company began in Saskatchewan, Canada in 1992 when the inventor of the walk in bathtub, Ladimer Kowalchuk built such a tub for his dad who could not use a regular bathtub.
While other companies use the name with abandon, and it has become generic through suggestion, there is really only one true Safety Bath and that is this one.
Confused? … not any more.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Does Certification for your Walk in Bathtub Matter?
Standards touch your life every day. Products that you encounter and use in daily life should be expected to conform to certain standards and certifications. Whether you are using your toaster, driving your car, using the elevator in a building or purchasing clothing or toys for your children, we all look to standards to ensure that product quality conforms to our expectations.
Canadian Standards International states “A standard is a document that has been prepared, approved, and published by a recognized standards organization, and contains rules, requirements, or procedures for an orderly approach to a specific activity. Standards may include product design requirements, test methods, classifications, recommended practices, and other considerations.
Many standards define safety requirements intended to reduce the risk of personal injury due to electrical shock or fire. Some standards set levels of performance for products. Some address social concerns, such as how our environment is managed or how information is used.” http://www.csa-international.org/who_accepts_csa/
For manufacturers, the process of certification is time consuming and very expensive. That cost is in-turn passed on to you the consumer, but it means a higher quality product and you can be confident that the manufacturer has put great effort into ensuring your safety. It also means that a product will be compatible with other household components such as electricity and plumbing.
There are a variety of walk in bathtubs on the market today with a great range in price. Those that are selling at an unbelievably low price are often not certified to Canadian and US standards. This may be because the manufacturer has just not wanted to spend the time or money to certify the product or it may be because the product is being manufactured in a country where such standards are not important.
When a qualified installer comes to do a walk in bathtub installation in your home, he/she must abide by the rules set out the trade industry which insist that the product being installed conform to CSA/UL standards for Canada and the US. If the product and or its components are not certified, a tradesperson cannot install it without putting his license as a tradesman in jeopardy. If there are problems with the product in regards to quality or safety you can go back to the manufacturer and expect to have the problem corrected.
A walk in bathtub is expected to ensure safe bathing for the user. What can be more important than safety, particularly to those who are most vulnerable, seniors and those with disabilities?
Does walk in bathtub certification matter? Yes, of course it does and though there may be models on the market that are so much less money than others, pay attention to their certification – it may mean the difference in your safety and yes, in even getting it installed.
For further information on safe bathing and walk in bathtubs visit http://www.safetybath.com
Canadian Standards International states “A standard is a document that has been prepared, approved, and published by a recognized standards organization, and contains rules, requirements, or procedures for an orderly approach to a specific activity. Standards may include product design requirements, test methods, classifications, recommended practices, and other considerations.
Many standards define safety requirements intended to reduce the risk of personal injury due to electrical shock or fire. Some standards set levels of performance for products. Some address social concerns, such as how our environment is managed or how information is used.” http://www.csa-international.org/who_accepts_csa/
For manufacturers, the process of certification is time consuming and very expensive. That cost is in-turn passed on to you the consumer, but it means a higher quality product and you can be confident that the manufacturer has put great effort into ensuring your safety. It also means that a product will be compatible with other household components such as electricity and plumbing.
There are a variety of walk in bathtubs on the market today with a great range in price. Those that are selling at an unbelievably low price are often not certified to Canadian and US standards. This may be because the manufacturer has just not wanted to spend the time or money to certify the product or it may be because the product is being manufactured in a country where such standards are not important.
When a qualified installer comes to do a walk in bathtub installation in your home, he/she must abide by the rules set out the trade industry which insist that the product being installed conform to CSA/UL standards for Canada and the US. If the product and or its components are not certified, a tradesperson cannot install it without putting his license as a tradesman in jeopardy. If there are problems with the product in regards to quality or safety you can go back to the manufacturer and expect to have the problem corrected.
A walk in bathtub is expected to ensure safe bathing for the user. What can be more important than safety, particularly to those who are most vulnerable, seniors and those with disabilities?
Does walk in bathtub certification matter? Yes, of course it does and though there may be models on the market that are so much less money than others, pay attention to their certification – it may mean the difference in your safety and yes, in even getting it installed.
For further information on safe bathing and walk in bathtubs visit http://www.safetybath.com
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