According to a new study by Just Trays (JT), 82.2% of people have experienced a slip in the shower out of 1,000 UK residents surveyed.
And yet, whilst over half of consumers view the thought of slipping in the bathroom as a concern, many do absolutely nothing about it.
Slips in showers can pose significant hazards, especially to older or more vulnerable individuals who may have mobility difficulties. In fact, Age UK reported that six people over the age of 65 fall every minute in the UK, with around 3.4 million people over 65 suffer a fall that causes a serious injury or even death.
Yet despite all of this concern, in JT’s study, only 32% of people stated that they always use an anti-slip mat in the shower. The survey found that 21.6% choose to shower without because it ‘ruins the aesthetic’ of the bathroom, 50.6% said it’s ‘an additional thing to clean trap dirt’ and 27.5% said simply ‘don’t like the feel of them’.
John Schofield, sales and marketing manager at Just Trays, said: “It’s concerning to see the extent to which consumers are still putting themselves at risk with the safety of their showering experience, with 8 in 10 adults having experienced a slip in the shower.
“Our survey also discovered that 41% of people didn’t know they could add an anti-slip coating to their showers, to avoid all of the drawbacks that they dislike about anti-slip mats. So it’s clear that there is still some education to do about anti-slip trays.
“For most consumers, the term ‘anti-slip’ brings to mind the image of unsightly rubber shower mats that ruin aesthetics, age quickly, and generate a build-up of dirt, which is difficult to clean.
“We have invested in anti-slip properties which have been built into the skin of all of our shower trays, providing consumers with the reassurance they need to minimize slips and falls without sacrificing on look and feel.
“The call for accessible showering solutions is not just a passing trend, it reflects the growing awareness and commitment to inclusivity and accessibility within bathroom design. Anti-slip shower trays can ensure that people of all ages and physical abilities can shower with complete confidence and ease.”