Stylish, Safe and Green Store

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Bathroom Safety Checklist


Shower

__ Grab bars should be placed both in and out of the shower to prevent falls anywhere in the bathroom


__ Apply non-slip grip to shower or tub floor
__ Shower seat or bench for a safer way to shave legs or wash feet


__ Handheld shower head
__ Curbless shower entry
__ Lever handles
__ Anti-scald faucets on sink, bathtub and shower

Toilet Area
__ Grab bars next to toilet
__ Supportive toilet paper holder


__ Toilet seats 17” – 19” off the floor for older persons
__ Toilet seats less than 17” for children

Vanity Area
__ Countertops with rounded edges
__ Easy glide drawers that close automatically
__ Bright non-glare lighting
__ Eliminate clutter


Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Does your grab bar selection compromise your bathroom design?



From mints on the pillow to complementary bathrobes- great hotels know that it’s the details that make a guest's stay memorable.

Even grab bars, which were once installed only to meet ADA code, are being given a second thought when it comes to bathroom design for both ADA and non-ADA hotel rooms.

“There is no excuse for ugly utilitarian grab bars and other universal design elements either. Sophisticated alternatives abound as baby boomers grow older and the spa-as-sanctuary trend expands,” says Jeffrey Ornstein, CEO of J/Brice Design International.


Great Grabz, the leader in decorative grab bars, is seeing this trend among luxury hotels. They’ve recently partnered with Disney® and Marriott® in providing them with grab bars for all of their guest bathrooms- keeping their guests safe without compromising the bathroom design.

“Institutional grab bars are now a thing of the past as guests demand both safety and style,” says Great Grabz President, Abbie Sladick. "We carry a variety of grab bars at various price levels to meet the needs of the hospitality, commercial and residential markets."

For more information on Great Grabz you can visit them online at: www.GreatGrabz.com. 







Thursday, April 8, 2010

6 Tips for Grab Bar Placement




6 Tips for Grab Bar Placement
Customers say to us all the time "I know I need a grab bar, but have no idea where it should go." Here are  6 tips for grab bar placement for you or your client's home.


1-      Grab Bar Height- There is no standard height requirement for residential installation of grab bars, and everyone's needs are different, but as a rule of thumb, in ADA compliant bathrooms, grab bars are installed 33"-36" off the finished floor. The recommended height for children is 17"-28".


If your bathroom will be used for family members and guests who may be of different heights and abilities, the Great Grabz Wave bar is the perfect solution. The Wave sweeps up 3" to cover more area making it comfortable and secure for everyone.
2-      Grab Bar Length- Grab bars should cover as much of the shower wall as possible. If you have a large shower, we suggest a bar for each wall to ensure safety.  
3-      Outside of the shower or tub- Having a small grab bar placed vertically outside of the shower or tub entry is great for assistance stepping to and from a wet surface. Great Grabz's 10" grab bar is ideal for this application.
 4-      Tub Deck- Soaking tubs are all the rage in bathroom design. However, trouble can come quickly if someone is unable to exit the tub. We suggest installing a grab bar on the wall behind the tub and/or a small grab bar on the tub deck.  Be sure the grab bar is in a place where a foot cannot trip on it while entering or exiting a tub.


 5-      Towel bars with strength- Let's face it, when you are about to fall you'll grab on to anything close by - including a towel bar. Why not make towel bars safer by replacing them with grab bars? 

6-      Toilet paper holder-  For those who have a hard time getting up from a seated position, Great Grabz's 10" grab bar can also be used as a toilet paper holder, while still maintaining its strength of supporting 250lbs of force.