How safe are suction safety bars around the tub. I need to have them installed, but am afraid of the suction type, although I am told they are strong. I am considering stainless steel bars that would be installed by drilling holes in my tiles. Please advise if you have any info on this and if they need to be installed into the tiles, I assume this is not such a big job. Appreciate your help. Thank You.

Definitely install into the tiles. What if you need to use one with all your weight, such as lifting yourself out of the bath with an injured leg? I just can't imagine who might have told you that suction cup type bars hold.

Get a suction type and try it. For screw mounted types, if you read the instructions, a certain percentage of the screws MUST be installed into wall studs or structural members not just into the tile with plastic anchors. You need a good diamond bit to go through some types of tile. Be very careful or you will crack the tile.