What makes a bathroom seating option safer for everyday use?

Bathroom safety is often thought of in terms of installing grab bars, non-slip mats and other accessories to help people move around safely. However, for many people the biggest risk in the bathroom is simply getting out of the toilet. While millions of Australians face bathroom-related challenges every day, a simple question is often overlooked: is the humble toilet seat a safe bathroom solution?

The stability equation that matters most

In considering the safety of a bathroom seat, we must also consider how its base width fits within the overall safety provision of the bathroom. Most toilet seats provide adequate weight bearing support but become precarious when transferring your leg across from either side. A wide base to the bathroom seat can help to distribute weight and reduce the likelihood of the seat tipping over or movement whilst in use.

But more important than the stability afforded by the legs is the rigidity afforded by the seat under load. Here the choice of material is important, as aluminium generally offers a superior strength to weight ratio than plastic, but with less consistency between brands than on a benchtop milling machine.

Height adjustment mechanisms

While having an adjustable height over a fixed height has many advantages, it also introduces the potential for some critical parts to fail.

These dies come with Spring-Loaded Pins between the dieplates which occasionally can become lodged. Longer telesopey sections can also tend to creep or come loose after a time. Generally speaking, most scrapbookers would be better off with a fixed die for overall reliability, but where someone of differing height will be using the unit on a regular basis at the same time in multi-user households, an adjustable die is necessary. One would also use an adjustable die when they are a solo user of varying heights. Understand your needs versus wants. This principle requires you to realistically assess your requirements as opposed to your aspirations which in most cases don’t equal each other.

Most chairs market “adjustability” as a feature, but almost no one ever mentions the all-important “adjustment range”. Many office chairs we review allow for only 5-8 cm of height adjustment, little enough that true operating height is rarely changed. Compare closely to the user’s actual body dimensions before buying a height adjustable chair.

Surface design: where comfort meets function

In designing a seat to distribute weight on all public urinals, a conflict exists. From the facilities service staff’s perspective, a completely flat surface is preferred for easier cleaning. However, from the user’s perspective, a totally flat design may not provide enough stability or comfort for some users. For those who require disability features, a contoured seat design is often preferred to enable correct body positioning. Unfortunately, such a design presents problems for cleaning corners, crevices and hidden deposits.

A kitchen island with contours also needs consideration given to its drainage to prevent water sitting in certain areas and causing health and safety issues. The island should be sloped sufficiently and have appropriate cuts for water to flow out.

Another factor in the decision process is surface texture. Smooth surfaces are much easier to clean and wash than those with texture, yet a wet and slippery smooth surface can be dangerous whereas textured surfaces provide good non-slip qualities. A major drawback to a textured surface, however, is the tendency of the texture to trap residues of soap and worse, bacteria. This problem can be minimised by ensuring that any texture used is minimal, and strategically placed rather than over the entire surface.

Weight capacity: beyond the obvious numbers

This video shows a 100kg man standing on a shelf rated for 100kg, and repeatedly performing movements which place greater loads on the fixture. Static testing does not give a true indication of an accessories suitability for use. Even when rated for 100kg, an accessory designed for that weight still needs to be able to withstand the additional loads placed upon it by people leaning, twisting and performing similar movements while attempting to use switches or wash their hands. 150kg for a 100kg rated fixture is not uncommon.

This reality makes stated weight capacities misleading.

Many shower chairs start with a “safe” weight capacity of 250-300lbs, but it is generally recommended to have at least 50-60% wiggle room in the weight capacity, or at least 50-100lbs extra on top of the user’s weight. This is because some materials can break more easily than others, even at the originally listed weight capacity. Another reason for this difference is how weight is distributed on the seat among different models. Some shower stools have four legs under the seat, and can handle weight differently than a shower chair with a single pedestal base. If you need to use both a shower stool and a shower chair, consider models that have similar weight capacities and other compatible features.

Installation and portability factors

Fixed models are the most stable, whilst portable models offer portability and flexibility. However, both options are only as good as the bathroom and the owner’s ability.

A good portable stargazing seat is one that is relatively lightweight and easy to set up. Some portable seats can be very heavy and even require the assistance of a second person to erect them properly. If this is the case then having a portable seat in the first place is unlikely to help. Ideally the seat should be simple to set up and require minimal effort from the user before they can sit down and start to enjoy the view.

The maintenance reality

Long term safety of this product depends on proper maintenance. Models with multiple joints and adjusters will require more frequent inspection and cleaning. As with any metal product, if not protected from moisture in the bathroom, metal surfaces can corrode, creating a hazardous situation.

Long-term performance is often best achieved by an water feature with the simplest design. These designs have the least amount of moving parts and use corrosion resistant plant parts and water components. The best design is often the least amount of maintenance that you will need to perform.

Making the practical choice

When it comes to bathroom seating safety for stroke patients it is not just about choosing the “best” toilet seat raised lift. You also need to consider choosing an external seating option that meets the needs of the individual and their pattern of use as well as their level of disability.

The safest car seat is one that is right for YOU and YOUR SITUATION, not just the most highly rated or best of the best. Yes, there are features that all good seats have in common, such as a solid base, sturdy frame, good materials, and good construction. But these seats come from different manufacturers, and only you can decide what features fit best with your family’s needs and lifestyle. There are no perfect car seats. The seat that fits best and provides adequate height and weight capacity WITH A SAFETY MARGIN is what matters most.