Bathroom Water Safety for Parents

The bathroom can be dangerous for children. Parents and caregivers can decrease the risk of an accident with proper precautions. Here’s what you can do to improve bathroom safety for toddlers and young children! 

Bathroom Safety Basics

Common bathroom features and supplies can be dangerous without proper attention and childproofing. Follow these tips to make the bathroom safer!

• Never leave a child unattended. No matter the circumstance, safety experts strongly encourage against leaving young children alone in the bathroom. Bring everything you might need with you before bath time begins. This includes towels, diapers, etc. 
• Cover the faucet head and other sharp edges with rubber covers or overlays. 
• Place a non-slip bath mat inside the tub and a non-skid rug on the floor next to the tub. Wet surfaces can be slippery and proper precautions are necessary to avoid slips and falls.
• Cap all electrical outlets not in use with safety covers to avoid shocks and injuries. In addition, be sure to unplug all appliances while not in use, such as hair dryers, curling irons, etc. 
• Remove cleaning products and employ the use of child locks on all cupboard doors (both high and low) within the bathroom. Many of these products are toxic when ingested and can be harmful to the touch. 
• Make sure medication is stored in childproof containers and use easy-to-install medicine chest locks.

Avoiding Bathroom Hazards

While bath time can be fun for children, it can also present a host of dangers. Follow these tips to avoid common water hazards in the bathroom!

• A parent or caregiver should always be present when a child is near water, including the tub. Accidents can happen in an instant! 
• Always wait until the bathtub is finished filling up before placing your child in the water, as the temperature can change. For added protection, install scald-guard faucets or another type of anti-scald device.
• Don’t leave the bathroom until the water has drained completely. Children can drown in as little as two inches of water. Keep children away from the bathtub until it’s filled and stay in the bathroom until the bathtub is completely empty. 
• Never leave buckets or large toys in the bathroom area that a child can use as a step. Once the bath is over, remove the water immediately and never leave toys in the tub. A child can go back in and reach for the toy and fall into the tub.