Safety & Warnings

Last updated: November 11, 2026

⚠ WARNING: Read and follow all instructions and warnings before using this chair. Failure to do so can result in serious injury. Keep these instructions for future reference. Caregivers must read these warnings before assisting a user.

1. Weight limit and structural load

⚠ WARNING — Maximum user weight: 400 lbs (181 kg). Exceeding this limit can cause the chair to break, crack, or collapse, resulting in a fall and serious injury.

• The 400 lb limit refers to the seated user's body weight.
• Only one person may use the chair at a time.
• Do not stand, kneel, or climb on the chair, its seat, edge, or basin rim. Do not use the chair as a step stool.
• Do not sit on the front lip or edge. Sit fully back on the seat with weight centered.
• Do not drop or "plop" onto the seat. Sit down slowly and in a controlled manner.
• Do not place additional heavy objects on the chair.

2. Inspect before every use

⚠ WARNING — A damaged chair can fail without warning. Before each use, inspect the chair for cracks, splits, warping, soft spots, sharp edges, wobbling, or damage from shipping, dropping, or impact. If you find any damage, STOP using the chair and contact SoSoak at support@sosoak.com.

• Do not modify, drill, cut, repair, or add parts to the chair.
• Do not use the chair if it has been exposed to extreme heat (for example, stored near a heater or in direct sun in a hot vehicle).

3. Tipping and stability

⚠ WARNING — The chair can tip if used improperly, causing a fall and serious injury.

• Use only on a flat, level, stable floor such as a walk-in or roll-in shower floor.
• NOT for use in a bathtub. Do not place the chair on a sloped, uneven, or soft surface, on a drain cover, or across a shower threshold or curb.
• Before sitting, confirm the chair sits evenly and does not rock.
• Do not lean far to one side, forward, or backward. Do not reach for items on the floor or outside the chair while seated.
• Do not rock, shift, or bounce in the chair.
• Do not move or reposition the chair while anyone is seated in it.

4. Falls during transfers (getting on and off)

⚠ WARNING — Most bathing injuries happen while getting in and out. A fall can cause serious injury.

• Use securely installed grab bars when sitting down and standing up. Do not use the chair, basin rim, shower curtain, towel bars, or soap dishes as a support for standing.
• Sit down and stand up slowly. Pause after standing to make sure you are steady.
• If using a wheelchair, walker, or other mobility aid, lock its brakes and position it securely before transferring.
• Users with limited mobility, balance problems, weakness, recent surgery, or recent childbirth should have a caregiver present for transfers.
• Caregivers: Do not lift a user alone. Use proper body mechanics and get additional help or appropriate lifting equipment if needed.

5. Slippery surfaces

⚠ WARNING — Water from the basin, the shower, and soap or oils make the chair and the floor slippery. A slip can cause a fall and serious injury.

• Drain the basin before standing up.
• Use a non-slip mat or non-slip flooring around the chair.
• Rinse soap, bath oils, salts, and residue from the seat and floor before standing.
• Wipe up spilled or overflowing water immediately.
• Wear non-slip footwear or have dry, stable footing before stepping out of the shower.
• Bath oils, lotions, and soaps can make the seat surface more slippery.

6. Scalding and water temperature

⚠ WARNING — Hot water can cause severe burns (scalding) in seconds. Children, older adults, and people with reduced sensation, diabetes, neuropathy, circulation problems, or numbness (including after childbirth, epidural, or surgery) may not feel water that is too hot.

• ALWAYS test the water temperature with your hand or a thermometer BEFORE filling the basin and BEFORE sitting down.
• Check the temperature again whenever you adjust the water or use the diverter or hose.
• Never fill the basin with hot water while someone is seated. Adjust the water to a comfortable warm temperature first.
• Do not leave hot water running into the basin unattended.
• Stop immediately and exit carefully if the water feels too hot.
• Consider setting your water heater to a lower temperature or installing an anti-scald valve.

7. Drowning and supervision

⚠ WARNING — Drowning hazard. A person can drown in very little water.

• Never leave a child or any person who cannot safely bathe alone unattended in or near the chair, even for a moment.
• This chair is NOT a child bath seat and is not designed for infants or children.
• Users who are sedated, drowsy, under the influence of alcohol or medication that affects alertness, prone to seizures, fainting, or loss of consciousness, or who have cognitive impairment must be supervised at all times.
• Drain the basin immediately after each use. Do not leave standing water in the basin.
• Keep children away from the chair when it is not in use.

8. Dizziness, fainting, and medical conditions

⚠ WARNING — Warm water can lower blood pressure and cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, which can lead to a fall.

• Limit soak time. Follow your healthcare provider's guidance on how long and how often to soak.
• If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, weak, nauseated, or unwell, stop, call for help, and exit carefully.
• Stand up slowly after soaking.
• Consult your healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant or postpartum, have heart disease, high or low blood pressure, diabetes, circulatory or skin conditions, open wounds or incisions, recent surgery, or any condition that affects balance, strength, or sensation.

9. Pressure points and skin injury

⚠ CAUTION — Sitting for extended periods can cause pressure on the skin, which may lead to skin irritation, redness, or pressure injury, especially in people with fragile skin, poor circulation, limited sensation, or limited ability to shift position.

• Limit the time spent seated in the chair.
• Shift position periodically if you are able.
• Users at risk of pressure injury, and their caregivers, should check the skin (especially buttocks, thighs, and the backs of the legs) after each use. Stop use and contact a healthcare provider if you notice redness that does not fade, blistering, or broken skin.
• Do not add cushions, pads, or towels that could cause the user to slide or make the seat unstable.

10. Hose, diverter, and plug

⚠ CAUTION — Hoses and cords on the floor can create a tripping hazard.

• Route the hose so it does not lie in walking paths. Disconnect and store the hose after each use.
• Install the shower arm diverter only as instructed. Do not overtighten. Check for leaks before use.
• Hot water may flow through the diverter and hose. Check the temperature at the hose outlet before directing water into the basin or onto the body.
• The drain plug is a small part. Keep it away from young children.

11. Hygiene and infection control

⚠ CAUTION — Bacteria can grow in water left in or on the chair.

• Drain, rinse, and clean the chair after every use with mild soap and water or antibacterial wipes.
• Clean and disinfect the chair between different users (for example, in shared, family, or facility settings).
• Allow the chair to dry fully between uses.
• Follow your healthcare provider's guidance on sitz baths, wound care, and postpartum care.

12. Intended use

The SoSoak® Shower & Sitz Bath Chair is intended to provide a seated bathing and soaking surface for adults in a walk-in or roll-in shower or other flat bathing area.

• It is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.
• It is not a toilet seat, commode, transfer bench, wheelchair, or step stool.
• It is not a child or infant bath seat.
• It is not for use in a bathtub, pool, hot tub, or outdoors.

13. Storage and care

NOTICE

• Store indoors, away from heaters, open flames, and prolonged direct sunlight.
• Do not use harsh abrasives, solvents, or bleach at full strength, which can damage the surface.
• Do not drag the chair across floors. Lift and carry it.

Medical disclaimer

The SoSoak® Shower & Sitz Bath Chair is a bathing aid and is not a medical device. Information provided by SoSoak is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your physician, midwife, physical or occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider about whether this product is appropriate for you, and follow their instructions for sitz baths, postpartum recovery, wound care, and bathing safety.

Proper use

Use of the SoSoak® Shower & Sitz Bath Chair requires that users and caregivers read and follow all instructions and warnings. SoSoak is not responsible for injury or damage resulting from failure to follow these instructions and warnings, misuse, modification, use beyond the stated weight limit, or use of a damaged chair.