Learn about crucial home surface upgrades for safety, from rubber garage flooring to non-slip bathroom tiles, preventing accidents and injuries.
The following is a guest post from my bloggy friend Taylor McKnight on behalf of Softroc. Interested in having a guest post on my website? Click here for my guest post submission form.
Smart Surface Solutions: A Guide to Safer Home Flooring
We all want our homes to feel like a safe haven. But sometimes, accidents happen when we least expect them, and a lot of it has to do with the surfaces we walk, stand, or work on every day. Sure, we pay attention to things like smart doorbells, locking doors and fire safety, but few of us give thought about the flooring under our feet? It turns out that something as simple as the type of surface in your home can make a significant difference when it comes to preventing slips, falls, and other injuries.
Think about it. Some areas of your home see a lot of traffic, like the kitchen or garage. Then there are spots where the risk of slipping or falling is higher, like bathrooms and entryways. It makes sense to focus on making these areas safer by choosing the right materials. Investing in safer surfaces can go a long way toward creating a secure environment for you and your family—without it feeling like a hassle. This is especially in the case of having young children or elderly within your home often. You must think of safety first always even in terms of it being a more rare occurrence these people are in your home.
Home Surfaces You May Want to Invest in for Safety
One surface you might not think about too often is your garage floor. A lot of people use their garage for more than just parking the car. Maybe it is a workspace, a storage area, or even a home gym. If that sounds familiar, you have probably noticed that concrete garage floors can get pretty slick, especially if they are wet or have oil on them. This is not exactly the safest place to be moving around.
This is where rubber garage flooring comes in handy. Unlike concrete, rubber flooring gives you extra traction, which can help prevent slips and falls. It is also a little more forgiving if you drop something heavy—whether it is a tool or an exercise weight, rubber is much less likely to become cracked or damaged (or whatever you drop). Plus, cleaning it is a breeze, and that means fewer risks from dirt or oil buildup. If your garage is a busy spot in your home, this simple upgrade can make a world of difference for safety. A safety tip in this case, however is make sure to also always have some type of footwear on when in the garage.
Another area to think about is your kitchen. With all the cooking, cleaning, and foot traffic, kitchens are prime spots for spills, and that can make the floor dangerously slippery. By choosing slip-resistant flooring materials like textured tiles or vinyl, you can keep your kitchen safer for everyone—without sacrificing style or convenience. Keep in mind of how the type of flooring will also interact with the potential spills and other actions.
Dangers of the Home You May Not Think About
There are some dangers around the house that are not always top of mind. We tend to think about obvious hazards like sharp edges or open flames, but we need to give attention to those sneaky risks that creep up on us. Take slippery floors, for example. They are one of the leading causes of accidents at home, especially in areas like kitchens and entryways where water tends to gather. Even polished hardwood floors, though beautiful, can be tricky to walk on, especially if you are wearing socks.
Another common but overlooked hazard is uneven flooring or rugs that do not lie flat. It is easy to trip over a rug with curled edges or an uneven tile, and the chances of falling are higher than most people realize. This is again especially risky for small children or older adults. Something as simple as securing rugs with non-slip pads or fixing that uneven floor can prevent a nasty fall.
Bathrooms, too, can be a little dangerous if you are not careful. This area especially is bound for wet floors and slippery tiles in the future. Which can make for a risky situation, especially when stepping in and out of the shower. Installing non-slip mats in the bathtub and on the floor, along with grab bars, can make this space much safer, particularly for anyone with mobility issues.
And do not forget about the outdoor spaces. Decks, porches, and driveways can all become slippery when wet or icy. Wooden decks, in particular, can be slick when they are wet, which might lead to a bad fall. Adding slip-resistant coatings or regularly maintaining these surfaces can help keep things safe for both you and your guests. You also have the option to add preventative additions to your home such as rails, handles, etc. This can even provide you a way to add stylish qualities to your home to make it stand out compared to others.
At the end of the day, making your home safer does not have to be complicated or expensive. Simply paying attention to the surfaces you walk on can help prevent accidents before they happen. Whether it is investing in rubber garage flooring to avoid slips, choosing non-slip tiles for your kitchen or bathroom, or making sure rugs and uneven surfaces do not trip you up, a little effort goes a long way toward creating a safer home.
