Get A Grip handle comes up short in Consumer Reports tests

We've been trying to get a handle on, well, handles. We recently tested the Get A Grip handle, which is supposed to "provide the grip you need to safely enter or exit the bath tub or shower." The instructions seemed to contradict the claim: "Do not use to provide leverage or stability or to maintain balance while lifting yourself."

Testing in our labs with various weights and at home by our panelists showed that Get A Grip fulfilled some but not all of its claims of making for a safer bathroom environment. Read the full review (available to subscribers) on our Web site.

A few months ago, we also reviewed the Hercules Hook, which promises easy installation and strong holding power in a variety of wall materials. Our tests showed it to be of less-than-mythic strength. e-mail | Twitter