For many homeowners, bathroom safety features may be limited to some rubber daisies on the bottom of the tub. The risk of slipping and falling is indeed a big concern in the bathroom, but making the room safer requires a few additional measures as well.

Safety features in the bathroom are especially useful if there are young children or seniors in the home. However, a few preventative steps will make this part of the home safe for all ages.

Children

It is never a good idea to leave young children unsupervised in the bathroom. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says parents should always stay with children younger than the age of five when they are in the bathtub. This responsibility should not be delegated to an older sibling.

Make sure a barrier is in place whenever the bathroom is not in use. Stephanie Burt, writing for Realty Times, says you should keep the door closed or set up a baby barrier in the entryway.

Drain the water from the bathtub when it is not in use to remove a drowning hazard. Lid locks for the toilet will prevent toddlers from potentially falling into the bowl.

A child can easily be scalded if they play with the temperature controls. Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees to keep the water from getting dangerously hot. Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, says you should always check the temperature before putting your child into the bathtub or shower.

Put down a rubber mat or non-slip decals to provide more secure footing in the bathtub. The U.S. National Library of Medicine recommends drying a child's feet, wiping water off the floor, and teaching a child not to run in the bathroom to minimize fall risk. You should also encourage them to stay seated while taking a bath, since they are more likely to slip and injure themselves if they stand up while the tub is filled.

Any dangerous items in the bathroom should be kept out of reach. Burt says you can put a childproof latch on cabinets and drawers, as this option will still allow adults to access these areas while keeping children from opening them. Keep medicines and prescription drugs in their original bottles, and store them in a locked area.

Nationwide Children's Hospital says you should round off or cushion any sharp points or edges which could cause injuries. If there is a glass door around the bathtub or shower, make sure it is secure and check to see if it is shatterproof.

Adults

Be careful with any electric items that you store in the bathroom, including hair dryers, curling irons, and electric razors. These items should be kept away from any sources of water and unplugged when they are not in use.

Upgrade your electric outlets if you do not have ground fault circuit interrupters. These outlets are especially useful in the bathroom's often wet environment, since they will quickly shut down the current if it exceeds a certain level. This device prevents you from getting a dangerous electric shock, and allows you to easily restore the power if it is triggered.

The bathroom should be properly ventilated, and you should use this fan whenever you take a shower. Burt says expelling moisture from the room prevents the growth of mold and mildew, which can inhibit your health.

You should be able to easily make your way around the bathroom with the available lighting. This way, you won't trip over any hazards when showering at night or in the early morning.

Seniors

As you get older, the bathroom provides more challenges for mobility. The East Carolina Heart Institute, a cardiovascular facility in North Carolina, says this is particularly true if you suffer from joint pain, muscle weakness, or a disability.

Grab bars can help you get into and out of the bathtub and to stand up from the toilet. The bars should be installed vertically or horizontally rather than diagonally, and they should be strong enough to support your weight. Don't rely on towel racks for support.

A raised toilet seat can also help with mobility. This feature is easily installed and makes it easier to stand up from the toilet.

A bath chair or bench provides a place to sit when taking a shower. Burt says these features can also make it easier to get into and out of the toilet.

Consider making larger upgrades to the bathroom if necessary. Some options include lowering the edges of the bathtub or installing a curbless shower.