How to Keep Your Bathroom Safe for Your Child

For children, bathrooms are meant to be fun places to enjoy a bath. Unfortunately, it has been estimated that 90 children die every year due to bathroom hazards like drowning in the bathtub- just 3 inches extra of water is enough to submerge a child. Parents sometimes are busy doing other chores or just fail to notice before it’s too late. Therefore, let’s talk about the bathroom safety of your child.

Bathroom Safety Tips for Your Child’s Protection

The following safety tips and precautions can keep your child protected in the bathroom:

1. Never Leave Your Child Alone in the Bathtub

The running water can make the tub overflow, thus seriously harming your child. Instead of letting your attention drift away, make sure you never leave your child alone in the bathroom, especially if he knows how to work the faucets.

2. Install Scald-Guards In Faucets

Death by scalding is another possibility besides drowning. To make sure the water temperature isn’t too high, don’t crank the geyser beyond 120 degree F. Additionally, install scald-guards in faucets since these monitor the temperature of the water and let you know if it’s too hot for your child.

3. Say Yes to Showers

If you’re unsure that your child is ready for the bathtub yet, try showering instead. There’s no drowning, everybody gets cleaned up, and it’s a win-win for both.

4. Drain Out Excess Water

You might have mastered the art of bathing your kids in the bathtub, but the floor isn’t as friendly once you’re done bathing your child, especially if he enjoys splashing around. Puddles of water on the floor lead to slips, falls and unexpected accidents. Make sure to mop out any remaining water and dry the floor before he gets out of the tub.

5. Use A Baby Gate

Children like to do things when adults aren’t watching, like going to the bathroom to do some splashing. Installing baby gates near toilet doors as bathroom safety are thus good for your child. That way, he can’t enter, which means less worrying for you.

6. Use Cushioned Covers on Faucets

Steel water faucets are dangerous as they have sharp edges. There’s also a risk of your baby bumping and hitting his head on hard surfaces. Cushioned covers absorb the shock and minimise injury in the bathtub.

7. Seal the Toilet Lids Shut

Babies and toddlers may slip and fall through the toilet lid while prancing around. Use a toilet lid lock or device to seal it during times you leave your child unattended.

8. Invest in High-Rise Shelves and Cabinets

Your shampoos and razor blades are like treasure hunting moments for your child.  Looking at the beautiful pictures and sleek designs, he may be tempted to give those a try, or drink your cleaning products out of curiosity. You don’t want that, and the best way to prevent it is by keeping them tucked away from his reach on high wall shelves and cabinets.

9. Unplug the Electronics

Most of us have curling irons and blow dryers in our bathrooms. When you leave them plugged in and turn away for a moment, your child falls at risk of being severely injured by them. The solution is to unplug and turn off these devices whenever you’re with your child in the bathroom.

10. Pay Attention at All Times

Prevention is better than cure, and the best way to pay heed to this is by constantly keeping a watch. Make sure there are no choking hazards in the bathtub, and teach your child against gulping soapy water when bathing.

Additional Bath Time Safety Tips for Infants and Kids

For your child’s benefit, here are some additional bath time safety tips:

• Keep cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, and medicines out of reach. Install safety locks in cabinets as extra measures.
• Ask an electrician to set up ground-fault circuit interrupters for shutting down electrical appliances in an instant when they fall into the bathtub, in order to prevent injuries.
• Don’t keep the water level beyond 2 to 3 inches for babies and young toddlers in the tub.
• Use a kitchen sink to bathe your infant instead of a bathtub for additional safety.
• Hold your baby and provide physical support while bathing to prevent slips/falls.
• Baby proof the floor and cabinets, always.
• Do not ever leave your baby alone in the bathroom.
• Set up the bathroom doors in a way they can be unlocked from outside in case your child locks himself in.

How to Prevent Your Child from Drowning in the Bathtub?

Never leave your child beyond your arm’s reach before, during, and after bathing as a rule of thumb. Also, never leave them alone while bathing.

Following these suggestion will help keep your child safe. As a parent, remember to watch him like a hawk during bath times since anything could go wrong in an instant.

Also Read: Safety Rules at School for Young Kids