Kids’ Bathroom Safety

Many people don’t think of the bathroom as a dangerous place but it can be. There are thousands of injuries that occur in bathrooms every year to people of all ages. Children are especially vulnerable to injury in the bathroom. It is the caregiver’s responsibility to keep children safe while in the bathroom. Read on to learn some bathroom safety guidelines.

Supervision Needed at All Times

Young children should not be in the bathroom by themselves. If the bathroom isn’t being used, close the door so that children cannot wander in.

Bathtub Safety

Kids under the age of six should never be left alone in the bathtub or the bathroom if there is water in the tub. The bathtub should be emptied after baths so a child does not try to get back in or play with the water unattended. Older children should not be responsible for watching younger children in the bathtub. An adult should be in charge of bath time.

Beware of Burns

It is possible to get burnt in the bathroom from water that is too hot. Keep the spout covered or blocked from children. Teach them that only an adult can touch or control the spout. The temperature of bathwater for a child should be between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You can purchase a bath thermometer to check the temperature or make sure to check the temperature on the skin of the inside of your wrist before using it on a child. If possible, adjust the temperature of the hot water heater to below 120 degrees Fahrenheit or install an anti-scald valve.

Prevent Falls

The bathroom can be slippery and falls can easily happen. Use a rubber non-skid mat in the tub. Make sure to dry the floor and the child’s feet after a bath to help prevent slips.

Prevent Drowning

Children should never be left alone around water to prevent drowning. This includes a bathtub with water in it, large buckets of water, or even the toilet. It is possible to drown even in a very small amount of water.

Bathroom Medication Accidents

If you store your medications in the bathroom, make sure they are not accessible to children. If possible, keep a lock on your medication storage.

Preventing Accidents

Accidents can happen in the bathroom. Think about child-proofing your bathroom just like the rest of your living areas. Remove or put out of reach anything that could be dangerous such as razors, hair dryers, curling irons, and cleaning products.