Water is one of the dangers that can threaten an infant's life even before he is old enough to begin crawling. Babies can drown in less than an inch of water, according to BabyCenter. Because water is a danger that can never be eliminated completely, all parents should learn how and when water is dangerous and what they can do to protect their babies.
Tubs
The No. 1 rule of bath-time safety is never leave your baby alone in the tub, even for a second. Many infant tubs come with back or bottom supports to hold your baby more securely, but these are not a substitute for constant supervision. Too-hot water is also a big danger for your infant; parents should test water temperature with their elbow or use a water thermometer to make sure the water is between 90 and 100 degrees F before bathing a baby.
Public Recreation
At the pool, beach and lake, babies need constant adult supervision both in and out of the water. Older children should never be put in charge of an infant's safety. Babies should be able to hold their heads up before going in the water and water temperature should be comfortably warm, ideally between 84 and 87 degrees F, recommends BabyCenter. Parents should never rely on flotation devices or "water wings" to prevent drowning.
Home Recreation
Both backyard swimming pools and kiddie pools present drowning hazards for infants. Kiddie pools should be drained immediately after use and stored upside down so rain water can't collect in them. Backyard pools should be completely enclosed by a fence at least 4 feet high with a self-closing and self-latching gate. Keep a cell phone nearby when playing in the water with your baby in case of emergency and store rescue equipment in the pool area.
Bathroom
The bathroom is a dangerous place for infants and should be kept off-limits unless an adult is supervising. Keep bathroom doors closed at all times and install a hook-and-eye closure or child-proof knob covers for extra security. Toilet lids should always be put down after use and should preferably be kept locked with toilet lid latches, recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics. Finally, bathtubs and infant tubs should always be completely drained after use.
Home
While pools, tubs and bodies of water present obvious dangers to babies, many parents forget about other parts of the home that may contain standing water such as buckets, ice chests, fountains, fish tanks, garden ponds, wells and drainage ditches. All of these should be emptied or kept completely out of your baby's reach. When cleaning with a bucket of water or mop solution, keep the bucket on a high counter or table or, even better, clean when your baby is asleep or under another adult's supervision.
