Safety

Bathroom Slip Safety: A Checklist for Every Age

Most bathroom injuries are falls. This room-by-room checklist, based on CDC, NIA and NHS advice, makes the tub, the floor and the toilet area safer.

By Mattona™ Team Updated 4 min read

Mattona™ guide cover: a slip-safe bathroom, with a pink suction shower mat on a tiled floor

Quick answer

Put a non-slip mat or strips inside the tub or shower, an absorbent mat with a non-slip backing where you step out, and grab bars by the tub and the toilet. Keep the floor dry, remove or secure loose rugs, add a night light, and replace any mat that slides, curls or peels.

Why the bathroom needs extra care

Water, hard surfaces and tight spaces make the bathroom one of the easiest places to slip. A CDC study of U.S. emergency department visits found an estimated 234,094 nonfatal bathroom injuries in one year among people aged 15 and over. 81% were caused by falls, and about two-thirds happened in or around the tub or shower. Injury rates rose with age, especially on or near the toilet.

Falls matter most for older adults. The CDC says falls are the leading cause of injury for adults aged 65 and older, and that more than 14 million older adults (1 in 4) report a fall each year.

Infographic: bathroom slip-safety checklist. 81% of bathroom injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms were falls (CDC). In the tub: non-slip mat and grab bars. Stepping out: absorbent mat with non-slip backing on a dry floor. At the toilet: grab bar and a flat mat. Remove or secure loose rugs and add a night light.
A quick checklist for every zone of the bathroom.

In the tub or shower

  • Add grip where you stand. The CDC’s STEADI home checklist advises putting “a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower.” A suction-cup PVC mat is one option.
  • Use suction mats on smooth surfaces only. Suction cups need a clean, smooth surface to seal. Mat makers warn against bath oils, which can cause slipping.
  • Fit grab bars. The CDC and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) both recommend grab bars inside and next to the tub or shower.
  • Keep bottles off the floor. Use a shelf or caddy so nothing is underfoot.

Stepping out

  • Stand on an absorbent mat with a non-slip backing, placed flat on a clean, dry floor.
  • Dry your feet on the mat before you walk on tile.
  • Keep absorbent fabric mats outside the shower. They’re not designed for use in the tray or tub.
  • Wipe up splashes straight away.

Mattona™ 3-piece sets are designed for this spot: a quick-dry knitted top on a non-slip backing, plus matching mats for the sink and the toilet.

At the toilet

In the CDC study, injuries on or near the toilet rose sharply with age: from 4.1 per 100,000 people aged 15–24 to 266.6 per 100,000 aged 85 and over. The CDC recommends a grab bar next to the toilet. If you use a toilet mat, make sure it lies flat around the base, with no curled edges. See do you need a toilet mat?

Rugs, lighting and clutter

Advice on rugs differs slightly between agencies. The NIA advises people at risk of falling not to use throw rugs or small area rugs. The CDC suggests removing rugs or using double-sided tape or a non-slip backing so they won’t slip. Either way, any mat you keep should grip, lie flat and stay out of walkways. Both agencies also recommend good lighting: leave a night light on for night-time bathroom trips.

Extra steps for older adults and children

  • Older adults: the CDC notes that fewer than half of older people who fall tell their doctor. Mention any fall, and ask about a fall-risk check.
  • Children: keep a non-slip mat in the tub, keep bath toys off the floor and wipe up splashes after bath time.
  • Everyone: take your time getting in and out of the tub, and use the grab bar rather than a towel rail.

Replace mats that slide, curl or peel

A mat with a worn backing is a slip risk, however soft the top still feels. Check your mats when you wash them. If the backing peels or cracks, or the mat moves when you step on it, replace it.

This guide gives general home-safety tips. If you or someone you care for has fallen or feels unsteady, talk to a doctor or an occupational therapist about the safest setup for your bathroom.

Sources

Shop the mats in this guide

Gray suction cup bath mat by Mattona with soapy feet on its bristle pad and a close-up of the elastic columns PVC-Badematte mit Saugnäpfen und Massageoberfläche $29.95$39.95 Shop now → Gray Mattona 3-piece bathroom mat set with HOME lettering: U-shaped toilet mat and two rectangular mats on a bathroom floor 3-teiliges HOME-Badmatten-Set, schnelltrocknend $39.95$49.95 Shop now →

Frequently asked questions

Are bath mats a trip hazard?

Any loose rug can be. A mat with a non-slip backing that lies flat on a clean, dry floor is much less likely to move. The NIA advises people at high risk of falling to avoid throw rugs, while the CDC suggests removing rugs or securing them with double-sided tape or a non-slip backing.

Should a bath mat go inside the shower?

Only a mat designed for it, such as a suction-cup PVC mat or non-slip strips. Absorbent fabric mats belong on the floor outside the shower or tub.

Why does my suction bath mat slide?

Suction cups need a clean, smooth surface. They don’t seal on textured surfaces, and bath oils can make them slip. Clean the tub and the cups, press the mat down firmly, and replace it if it still moves.

What’s the safest bath mat setup for older people?

A suction mat or non-slip strips inside the tub, a non-slip absorbent mat outside it, and grab bars by the tub and the toilet. Check the grip before every use.

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