Child Safety in the Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the most exciting places for children, and they are often determined to get into them and investigate.
It is not always possible to have the bathroom door secured to stop an exploring child so bathroom hazards should be removed or have a child lock on them to reduce the risk of injury.
Toilets are of particular interest to toddlers and young children and should be secured with a child proof seat lock to stop children putting their hands into the toilet water or flushing valuables or large objects down the toilet.
Electrical appliances, such as hairdryers, portable heaters and electric razors should be kept out of the bathroom or only used under adult supervision.
These items should be unplugged when not in use and secured in a bathroom cupboard with a lock.
All electrical devices should be kept away from water.
Towel rails can be a tempting climbing apparatus for toddlers and young children.
They should be kept out of reach and firmly secured to the wall.
Beware of heated rails as these may burn the skin on young fingers.
Bathroom rubbish should be thrown into a secure garbage bin so that children are not able to get to used razor blades or cleaning products or general bathroom rubbish.
Any medicine that is being disposed of should be flushed down the toilet and any chemicals should be removed to a secure outside rubbish bin.
Bathroom flooring can be slippery and non slip mats should be installed.
Babies and children must be kept within arm's length when in or around water.
Before bathing a baby or young child the following safety checklist should be followed;
These are not safety devices and must only be used under adult supervision.
This is especially important when bathing special needs children.
There are bath chairs specially designed for disabled children that have the ability to support the child while moving them into and out of the bathwater.
These bath chairs utilize an ergonomic system that removes any strain from the caregiver and can also be incorporated into an able bodied child's bath routine to assist in avoiding back strains for the caregiver.
To ensure babies and children are kept safe, they must always be supervised closely by an adult while in the bathroom.
It is not always possible to have the bathroom door secured to stop an exploring child so bathroom hazards should be removed or have a child lock on them to reduce the risk of injury.
Toilets are of particular interest to toddlers and young children and should be secured with a child proof seat lock to stop children putting their hands into the toilet water or flushing valuables or large objects down the toilet.
Electrical appliances, such as hairdryers, portable heaters and electric razors should be kept out of the bathroom or only used under adult supervision.
These items should be unplugged when not in use and secured in a bathroom cupboard with a lock.
All electrical devices should be kept away from water.
Towel rails can be a tempting climbing apparatus for toddlers and young children.
They should be kept out of reach and firmly secured to the wall.
Beware of heated rails as these may burn the skin on young fingers.
Bathroom rubbish should be thrown into a secure garbage bin so that children are not able to get to used razor blades or cleaning products or general bathroom rubbish.
Any medicine that is being disposed of should be flushed down the toilet and any chemicals should be removed to a secure outside rubbish bin.
Bathroom flooring can be slippery and non slip mats should be installed.
Babies and children must be kept within arm's length when in or around water.
Before bathing a baby or young child the following safety checklist should be followed;
- Never leave the baby or child unattended in the bath tub.
- Never leave an older child to supervise a baby or younger child in the bath tub as they may not recognize when a baby gets into trouble.
- Only have water at a level where it can be splashed by hand over the baby.
- Adjust the thermostat on the water heater so that the tab water is no more than 120 degrees F (49 degrees Celsius) so that a child cannot be scalded by the bath water.
The water temperature can be double checked with a bathtub thermometer. - Always fill the bath with cold water first and top up with hot water to reduce the risk or a child stepping into a very hot bath.
- Non slip mats should be used in the bathtub to reduce the risk of slipping.
- Check all glass in the bathroom (shower doors, windows, and mirrors) is safety glass.
These are not safety devices and must only be used under adult supervision.
This is especially important when bathing special needs children.
There are bath chairs specially designed for disabled children that have the ability to support the child while moving them into and out of the bathwater.
These bath chairs utilize an ergonomic system that removes any strain from the caregiver and can also be incorporated into an able bodied child's bath routine to assist in avoiding back strains for the caregiver.
To ensure babies and children are kept safe, they must always be supervised closely by an adult while in the bathroom.
