Children spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Even before they're potty trained, there's bath time, teeth-brushing time and what seems like endless hand-washing. And for some reason, even the most defiant bath-haters seem to like wandering into the bathroom the minute your back is turned. Unfortunately, this favored play area is also a dangerous place for babies, toddlers and even school-age children. It's important to take steps to keep your child safe in the bathroom.
Supervision
Supervision is an important part of bathroom safety for kids. Never leave a baby, toddler or young child alone in the bathroom. Leaving your child for just a minute could have disastrous consequences--your child could drown, fall and hit his head, or turn the hot water on and get burned.
Bathtub Basics
Always test the temperature of the bath water before putting your child into the tub. Use a bath seat when bathing your older baby or toddler.This allows your child to sit up and play and leaves your hands free, reducing the chances of him slipping out of your soapy grasp. Place a padded cover over the faucet to reduce the risk of injury in case your child bumps his head, and use nonstick decals or a rubber mat on the bottom of the tub to help keep him from slipping and falling.
Taming the Toilet
Kids tend to be fascinated by the flushing action of the toilet, and many have gleefully chucked mom or dad's keys or cell phone in just to see what would happen. The toilet poses a risk to more than just your possessions when your child is in the bathroom, however. Like the tub, the toilet poses a drowning risk. Toddlers have large heads in proportion to their bodies, and can easily tumble in if they're leaning over the bowl. The automatic bowl cleaners that hang from the side of the tub may be toxic to a young child who wants to taste everything, so skip those until your child is old enough to know not to eat them. Consider a toilet lock, available at baby supply stores, to keep your child out of the toilet.
Chemical Hazards
Always keep potentially toxic substances up high, out of your child's reach. Things like toilet bowl cleaner, bleach and even shampoo can be dangerous or deadly if ingested. Even seemingly innocent things like your child's bubble bath or baby lotion could make her ill if she drank them. Keep all medications and first-aid supplies, including vitamins, on a high shelf or in a locked cabinet.
General Safety
Bathroom floors are prone to getting wet and slippery, so use rugs with nonskid backing to prevent falls. Use outlet covers and ground fault circuit interrupters on all electrical outlets and never leave anything plugged in when not in use. Keep razors, hair dryers and sharp objects like nail files and scissors out of your child's reach. Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees, and teach your child never to touch the hot water faucets. When your child is old enough to bathe or shower alone, continue to buy gentle, tear-free shampoo and soap until he can keep it out of his eyes.
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