Keeping our children safe is our most important responsibility. Medicines that look like candy, slippery tubs and floors, hot water—these are some of the safety hazards in the bathroom. Here are some tips to make your bathroom as safe as possible for children.
Store all toxic substances and install a safety lock on the medicine cabinet.
Keep all electrical appliances out of the bathroom. If they absolutely need to be there, install GFCIs, unplug them when not in use and keep the appliances away from the bathtub and sink. Never use extension cords or a portable heater in the bathroom.
Buy a simple strap to keep the toilet lid down. When beginning toilet training, use a potty chair that sits on the floor. Then, move up to a training seat that lets them use the adult toilet safely. Choose a sturdy step-up trainer with a nonslip step and handles.
Look at towel bars from a toddler’s point of view. Could they be used as handrails by a climbing child? Could they poke a small face? If so, change them or move them.
Store the wastebasket inside a safety-latched cabinet.
Lay down a rubber-backed bath mat to prevent slips.
Never leave your child during a bath—not even for an instant. If you must answer the door or telephone, wrap your baby in a towel and take him or her with you.
Reduce the risk of scalding by adjusting your hot water thermostat so that your tap water is no more than 120 degrees F.
For bathing a baby, use a steady, stable, baby-sized tub either inside the main tub or set on a wide, sturdy counter. Or you might prefer using the kitchen sink. For nestling baby on a hard tub or sink, buy a baby-sized sponge mat. Always use one hand to support the baby.
When your child is older, use a rubberized mat, bathtub friction decals, or nonslip tape in the main bathtub to prevent slipping. A special suction-cupped baby support is also available. Use protectors to cover the tub spout.
The closer the tub’s rim is to the floor, the more easily a child can climb and tumble in. If your bathroom has a low-rimmed tub, keep the bathroom door closed at all times.
Be cautious about bathing a child in a spa-type tub. Children often can’t support themselves in the swirling water. If you have this type of tub, don’t run the pump during your child’s bath.
If your shower or tub has a glass door, it must be safety glass to guard against injury.
If you’ve been using automatic toilet-bowl cleaner, remove it from the tank and use an alternative means of cleaning the bowl.
