Bath time should always be supervised! Never
leave your child unattended in the bathtub, for any reason or
any length of time, as children can drown in just an inch of
water. Adjust your water heater to 48 degrees Celsius. This
should be hot enough for the rest of the family, but safe for
your child. It takes just 3 seconds for a child to sustain a
third degree burn from water at 60 degrees Celsius. Do not get
out of the tub while carrying your baby. Remove all shampoos,
cosmetics, shaving supplies, etc. from around the edge of the
tub.
Razors, scissors, and blow dryers are best kept up high or locked
out of a child's reach. Lock medicine cabinets. Even items as
seemingly harmless as iron pills and mouthwash can be dangerous
for a young child. Request child-resistant packaging. But keep
in mind that child-resistant containers are not childproof. These
medicines still need to be locked up out of a child's reach. Do
not let children see you taking medication, if at all possible.
Children mimic what they see. Never refer to medicine as candy.
Cabinet locks and latches are a must for all drawers and doors
in the bathroom. When buying cabinet locks, look for one that
will last for a few years. If you store cleaning chemicals in
your bathroom you should be sure to use a magnetic tot lock as
this is the highest degree of safety.
There are lots of fun items that can help improve the safety
of the tub area. Spout covers, in fun animal shapes, can help
prevent burns or injuries to heads. Bath mats and non-slip surfaces
are best for the tub. Install toilet locks as unlike adults, children's
weight is concentrated in the top half of their bodies. When they
lean into a toilet bowl, they may lose their balance, fall forward
and drown.
