Bath time can be fun for kids and parents alike. Many children enjoy water, and splashing in the tub while playing with toys is an entertaining way of getting clean. Unfortunately, a bathtub can be dangerous place for a child if a parent is not paying attention. Staying with a child and supervising a bath is essential for bathtub safety.
Identification
Bathtub safety is taking steps to ensure that injuries do not occur during bath time, and should be practiced by all parents for the protection of their children. Because accidents may happen quickly, careful prevention is necessary before a bath begins. Before starting a bath for a baby or child, parents can inspect the bathroom and tub area for any potential causes of injury.
Falls
According to research by the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, over 100 children are injured every day in bathtub related accidents, with 2-year-olds having the highest rate of injury. Water on the floor or activity in the bathtub can cause slips and falls, resulting in injury by striking the faucet, side of the tub or floor.
Burns
Burns can occur from water that is too hot for a child’s skin. Although parents may control the temperature of the water filling the tub, children may play with the faucet or knobs, which can turn hot water up too high and scald their skin. Parents may also be unaware of how hot the water is and place a child in the tub without checking the temperature first.
Drowning
Drowning in a bathtub can occur very quickly. Parents who think they can leave their child alone in a tub for even a few minutes are putting her at risk. Drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death among children, as stated by the Oregon Department of Human Services. Drowning occurs quickly and silently if a child’s head and face are submerged under water.
Prevention
Constant supervision while a child is in the tub is extremely important. Never leave a child unattended in or near a bathtub, not even for a few seconds. The most common method of prevention for burns is to lower the temperature on the water heater so that it will not go higher than 120 degrees. Teach young children not to touch the knobs or faucet on a bathtub. Keep the floor outside of the tub dry with a towel and install safety mats for the bottom of the tub to prevent slips.
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