Here are a few tips that not only enhance your safety, but also will make your life a little easier at home.
In the bathroom, there are a few very important safety measure to consider due to potential issues for people who have trouble feeling temperature. If you have a wall-mount sink with exposed pipes, be sure the pipes are insulated to avoid burns on your legs. This also goes for radiators or any other object that radiates heat. “Thinking about things like anti-scald devices with a faucet, so the water never gets too hot for someone that cannot perceive hot and cold,” says Kim Eberhardt Muir, MS, Program Specialist in the Spinal Cord Injury Program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Also, don’t forget door knobs! Adding lever door knobs is a relatively simple change that makes it easier for someone with dexterity issues to open the door. Motion detection lights are another good addition to consider, not only helping with safety, but it’s also more convenient if you need to get up and do something at night.
Want an example of a paraplegic’s home modifications? Check out Frank’s setup.