When you've got little ones crawling, toddling and running around the house, hazards abound---especially in the bathroom. But parents can do a little childproofing to help to prevent potentially dangerous accidents and keep young children safe. Taking a few simple precautions and adding some safety features can prevent burns, slips and even more serious injuries.
Provide Supervision
It's tough to watch little children at all times, but when they're taking a bath or in the bathroom, that's time you've got to devote to them. A child can drown in just a couple of inches of water, says the American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP. When giving your children a bath, stay with him at all times. Don't leave them to grab a towel or answer the phone. Also, be sure to drain the tub as soon as bath time is done.
Make it Slip-Proof
Bouncy, wiggly little ones can easily fall on wet, slippery bathroom floors and bathtubs. Keep bath mats on the floor to catch water and provide traction, suggests the AAP. You can also use a rubber mat or non-skid strips inside the shower or bathtub to keep children from slipping and sliding. Carefully dry your child's feet when she gets out of the tub, suggests the U.S. National Library of Medicine, or NLM.
Set Rules for Safety
Make sure that your young child knows not to head into the bathroom unless you're there to supervise. And while bath time can be fun time, set rules to prevent injuries. Don't allow your child to run in the bathroom, says the NLM, and have little ones sit down during bath time. You can use a special bath seat or some plastic toys made for the bath to keep children entertained long enough to get clean.
Keep Danger Out of Reach
Medications, cleaning supplies and electric appliances such as hair dryers and electric razors are just a few of the hazards that are commonly stored in bathrooms. Make sure that if you store such items in the bathroom that they're stored up high or secured in a locked cabinet where children can't reach them, suggests the NLM.
Prevent Burns
An accidental bump of the handle can send scalding water out of the bathtub spout---and onto baby's skin. The NLM suggests keeping the house water heater set lower than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. There's also a valve to prevent scalding that you can buy and place on the bathtub spout to protect little ones from dangerous burns.
Member Comments