I started using this checklist after one ridiculous morning when I almost face planted on a rogue cotton pad. I had been convinced I did not need a system, but the mirror did not lie. I looked shaken, damp, and annoyed with myself. Ever since, I run through this list before every shower. It takes less than a minute and it has kept me upright more times than I like to admit.
Step-by-step safety checks
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Clear the floor
Scan the tiles for landmines: towels, bottles, yesterday's T-shirt, anything that could shift under your crutch tip. Getting rid of clutter is the fastest way to feel instantly safer.
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Set the bath mat
If the inside mat curls or slides even a little, replace it. Outside the shower, place a thick mat where your first step will land. Dry footing feels like armor.
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Turn on the ventilation
Steam makes everything more slippery. Flip the fan on and crack the door so humidity does not collect on the tiles or your crutches.
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Prep your toiletries
Line up shampoo, soap, and whatever else you need so you never have to twist or reach. Nothing throws you off balance faster than realizing your conditioner is behind you.
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Adjust the water first
Test the temperature with your hand while sitting on a bench or stable stool. Let it settle before you stand or move. One quick check saves a lot of awkward hopping backward.
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Position your shower chair or bench
Press down on each leg of the chair to make sure it feels grounded. If it wobbles, shift it until it behaves. Sit before you lift your crutches away.
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Place your crutches safely
Prop your crutches against a stable wall or hook so they will not crash to the floor while you are rinsing. The sound alone is enough to startle you off balance.
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Keep a dry towel within reach
Drape a small towel beside the bench so you can dry your hands before standing. Wet hands on crutch grips never ends well.
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Check the lighting
Make sure you can see the edges of the mat, the lip of the tub, and the floor around you. A bathroom at dawn can feel like a cave if you forget this step.
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Take one steady breath
Before you step in, pause and ask yourself how you feel. Are you tired? Rushed? Do you feel steady? That small moment of honesty has saved me more times than any fancy gadget.
Print-friendly checklist
Laminate and hang this list in your bathroom. Check each item before every shower so you stay upright even on autopilot.
- Floor is clear of towels, clothes, bottles, and clutter.
- Inside shower mat is flat and non slip.
- Outside mat is placed where my first step will land.
- Ventilation fan is on and the room is not too steamy.
- Toiletries are at hip height and within easy reach.
- Water temperature is set before I get in.
- Shower chair or bench is planted and not wobbly.
- Crutches are parked safely where they will not fall.
- Dry towel is within arm's reach.
- Lighting is bright enough to see the floor clearly.
- I took one steady breath to check how stable I feel right now.