The bathroom is a busy place for growing families. From brushing teeth to potty training to splashing in the tub, lots of important activities happen there for family members young and old. Unfortunately, it can be dangerous for more vulnerable family members and overlooked in terms of installing safety features.
In observance of National Bath Safety month, we at British Swim School have compiled a list of bathroom safety tips to help keep your little ones safe, as well as older family members.
Always watch your child in the bathtub.
- Don’t leave your child alone for even a minute.
- Always set up everything before putting your child in the tub. Towels, wash cloths, shampoo, and toys should all be within arm’s reach for you.
- Stay in the bathroom the entire time your child is in the bath or around water.
- Be sure to empty the tub completely when bathtime is over! A young child can drown in as little as an inch of water.
- Even if the kitchen timer goes off or the doorbell rings, ignore it until after bath time is over, or scoop your little one up in a towel and take them with you!
Make your bathroom slip-proof.
- Install anti-skid strips in the bathtub, or use non-slip mats. Mats should also be placed around the toilet to prevent slipping.
- Make sure that the non-slip mats or strips are beneath an infant bathtub.
- Plug in a nightlight in the bathroom to help light your way in the middle of the night.
- Use a spout cover or place a washcloth over the faucet in tub, just in case your child has an accident and bumps their head. The washcloth will help cushion the impact and avoid injuries.
- Install a handrail in the shower or tub to help people step safely in and out.
Check the temperature of the water.
- Before placing children in the water, dip your hand into the water to test the its temperature.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees F for extra protection, so that your children won’t get burned if they accidentally turn on the water.
Make sure toilets are secure.
- Install a toilet lock to prevent your children from opening the toilet. Remember, children can drown in a very little bit of water, so it’s better to be cautious.
- If you don’t have toilet lock, be sure to close the toilet lid and the bathroom door when you leave.
Keep cleaning products, medications, and cosmetics safely out of reach of children.
- If you keep medicine and cosmetics in the bathroom, store them out of reach in a locked cabinet.
- Medicines should be kept in child proof containers.
- Cleaning products are toxic and need to be stored with lids tightly screwed on, in a locked cabinet.
Use bathtub toys to enhance water exploration.
At British Swim School we believe being safe in the water is of the utmost importance. Spending time in bathtub and enjoying playing in the tub can translate into them feeling comfortable in a pool or larger bodies of water. Bathtub toys can enhance the fun for your little ones. You can splash together, pour water on their body, and even pour water over their head. Here are some of our favorite bath toys. Like other toys, they can be can be both entertaining and educational.
- Waterproof books are a hit with preschoolers! Try getting versions of their favorites, such as The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister or Sandra Boyton’s Barnyard Dance. Or find bathtub books for colors, animals, numbers, and more.
- A set of mixing bowls and colanders can provide hours of fun. If you have a unused set of measuring cups, those will do the trick, too! Play with your child in pouring water all over their body and their head.
- Bath crayons are perfect for toddler age and above. If you child doesn’t want to stay in the tub for very long, they can be a great way to extend tub time! Your children can draw all over the bathtub, and it’s easy to remove from smooth surfaces. Using a Magic Eraser can help remove color from grout.
- Water musical instruments let kids play real music in the tub! They are a great way to explore sound. Water flutes of different sizes, water drums, and water xylophones are some of our favorites!
Turn tub time into a fun, safe place to enjoy being in the water. Please don’t delay in putting these bathroom safety tips into action! We offer classes for babies and toddlers from 3 months old onwards. Click here for more information about British Swim School Raleigh. Contact us to learn more about what important life skills your child will learn in our popular swimming and water safety lessons.
