North Olmsted, Ohio... Does your bathroom need a bit of a makeover? In 2015, make it your mission to update your bath. Fabulous faucets...of course. Superior showerhead...absolutely! Safety products? That's right. We often take great care to ensure our bathrooms are both functional and stylish, but what about making sure they're safe? Fortunately, you don't need to sacrifice style for safety. Here are a couple small updates to make your bath a safe one.

Leave a Little Light On
Our parents have drilled it in for years -- turn off the lights! However, low lighting levels can reduce visibility and be a major contributor to trips, bumps and bruises. Adding nightlights is a quick and easy way to safely light bathrooms (and hallways) to increase safety around the house at night -- especially for those mid-night trips to the bathroom. Another idea is to install illuminated light switches for easy visibility in a dark room. Small steps like adding these items can make a big impact when it comes to preventing trips and falls during the night.

Have a Seat
Navigating around the shower can be a slippery undertaking, especially for women who often perform a balancing act while shaving. That's likely why women are 72 percent more likely to be injured in the bath or shower than men.* One way to add both safety and comfort to the shower space is by incorporating a bath or shower chair. The stylishly designed Fold-Down Teak Shower Seat from Moen, now available in an Old World Bronze finish, features a unique wall-mount design for a comfortable seat and easily folds up to a thin, compact profile when not in use. And don't stop there -- adding a handheld shower is another way to add functionality and help prevent falls in the bath, since it allows you to maneuver water where you need it safely, or even from a seated position.

Cool It Down
Accidental burns from water are more common than you think. When tap water reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit, it can cause a third degree burn in just five seconds, and according to the Burn Foundation, 500,000 scald burns occur in the U.S. annually. Prevent accidental scalding at the source by setting the water heater at a maximum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. After you've set the new temperature, be sure to update your showers with pressure-balancing valves that maintain water temperature to eliminate "shower shock," which is the sudden fluctuation in temperature that can cause burns.

Style You Can Hold On To
According to Moen research, maneuvering in and out of the bathtub safely is one of the most challenging, and potentially dangerous, bathroom activities. And to make matters worse, many rely on items not designed to support body weight, such as towel bars, built-in soap dishes and shower doors. Recognizing the need for style with function, Moen has combined the safety benefits of grab bars with three essential bath accessories -- paper holder, shelves and towel bars. Integrating a Shelf with Grab Bar into the shower is a great way to add extra stability and it holds necessary items like shampoo and conditioner, keeping them within easy reach.

Keep these tips top of mind as you update your bath to help ensure everyone has an enjoyable -- but more importantly -- safe experience in the bathroom.

For more information on Moen accessories or products, visit www.moen.com or call 1-800-BUY-MOEN (1-800-289-6636).

*CDC - Nonfatal Bathroom Injuries Among Persons Aged =15 Years -- United States, 2008