Bathroom Safety Equipment: Buying Guide

Quick answer: start where most bathroom falls happen: getting in and out of the tub, standing in the shower, and sitting down on or getting up from the toilet. A grab bar plus a shower chair covers most needs. If stepping over the tub wall is hard, use a transfer bench instead. For the toilet, add a raised toilet seat or a toilet safety frame.

Which bathroom safety product solves which problem

Problem	Product	Why it helps
Unsteady while standing to shower	Shower chair or stool	Lets the user sit while washing
Hard to step over the tub wall	Transfer bench	User sits outside the tub, then slides across
Nothing solid to hold	Grab bar or tub rail	A fixed handhold for balance and transfers
Toilet is too low	Raised toilet seat	Less bending to sit and stand
Needs arms to push up from the toilet	Toilet safety frame	Armrests on both sides of the toilet
Bathroom is far or hard to reach at night	Bedside or 3-in-1 commode	A toilet next to the bed; many double as raised seats
Cannot lower into a bathtub	Bath lift	Powered seat lowers the user into the water

Shower chairs and stools

A shower chair with a backrest gives more support than a stool. Stools take less space in small stalls. Look for adjustable legs, rubber tips and a weight capacity with some margin. Our catalog includes models like the McKesson Adjustable Aluminum Shower Chair (400 lb), the Drive Shower Chair with Back and Removable Padded Arms (350 lb) and the McKesson Bariatric Bath Bench (500 lb).

Transfer benches

A transfer bench straddles the tub wall: two legs inside the tub, two outside. The user sits down outside the tub and slides across, so they never have to step over the wall. Sliding models such as the Drive Sliding Transfer Bench move the seat for the user. For larger users, the ProBasics Bariatric Transfer Bench and the McKesson Bariatric Bath Transfer Bench are rated for 500 lb.

Tip: check which side of the tub the faucet is on. Many benches can be set up for either side, but not all.

Grab bars and tub rails

Permanently mounted grab bars, like the McKesson 18-inch knurled steel grab bar, are the strongest option when screwed into wall studs or proper anchors. Suction-cup grab bars are portable and good for travel or rentals, but they are not designed to hold full body weight, so test the seal before every use. A clamp-on tub rail gives a handhold right on the tub wall without drilling.

Toilet safety

Raised toilet seats add height, typically a few inches. The McKesson Raised Toilet Seat adds 5 in and has removable padded arms (300 lb).
Toilet safety frames add armrests around an existing toilet. The McKesson Toilet Safety Frame adjusts in height and width.
3-in-1 commodes can be used beside the bed, over the toilet as a raised seat with arms, or as a toilet safety frame. See our commode buying guide.

How to measure before you buy

Tub wall height and tub width, for transfer benches and tub rails.
Shower stall floor size, for chairs and stools.
Toilet bowl shape (round or elongated) and the space on each side, for raised seats and frames.
The user's weight, to pick a capacity with margin.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important bathroom safety product?

For most homes it is a solid grab bar at the tub or shower, followed by a place to sit while bathing. Both address the moments when people are most likely to slip.

Shower chair or transfer bench?

A shower chair suits a walk-in shower or a user who can step into the tub safely. A transfer bench is better when stepping over the tub wall is difficult.

Are suction-cup grab bars safe?

They are useful for balance and portability, but they are not a substitute for a wall-mounted grab bar when the user needs to put full weight on it.

Not sure where to start? Try the Bathroom Safety Finder or browse all bathroom safety products. Questions? Call 1-800-494-5750.

General information only. An occupational therapist can do a home safety assessment if you are unsure what is needed.

More buying guides

Updated October 2026.