How to Keep Your Bath and Shower Safe for Your Kids

Children are by nature inquisitive and playful, particularly when in contact with water. A splash here and a splash there and the bathroom is transformed into a playground where the child envisions herself a mermaid or a captain embarking on a heroic voyage. When there is play, accidents also ensue.

Bathing can then be a pleasurable experience or a traumatic one depending on how the child is supervised and how the bathroom space is arranged.

To prevent bathroom injuries, online property portal Lamudi suggests the following useful tips.

1. Always Accompany the Child

Bathroom injuries often happen when the child is left alone.

Parents should, therefore, be keen on accompanying their child in using the bathroom, especially if the child is six years old and below.

Parents should also keep the doors of the bathroom locked when not in use, so children won't slip in the bathroom to play.

Older siblings who are technically not yet "adults" should not be in charge of bathing the child as the child's safety can be compromised.

An adult should always supervise young ones in bathing. In a case of babysitters, make sure the babysitter is smart, vigilant, and have a presence of mind.

2. Prevent Slips and Falls

Slips and falls account for the majority of bathroom accidents and can happen even if the parent is around.

Children have a high center of gravity compared to adults that they tend to topple forward. Make it a priority to use rubber mats and non-skid decals inside the tub.

It is also advised to dry the floor and the child's feet after using the bathroom. A weighted shower curtain can also help avoid water leaks on the floor.

To decrease the risk of a slip, position the child securely in your arms before taking them out of the tub.

Encourage the child to sit in the tub while being bathed as standing and jumping allow more chances of running into an accident.

3. Bath Toys Should Also Be Lessened or Better yet Discouraged

If you have pets in the house, keep them outside the bathroom while bathing your child as they can get underfoot and trip your child while going about the floor.

Another useful tip is to install grab bars or rails in or around the bathtub, shower, and toilet to help the child keep his/her balance.

4. Prevent Hot Water Burns and Scalds

A child's skin is 15 times thinner and more sensitive compared to an adult's, making its threshold for pain lower and more susceptible to an accident.

Hot water burn is a devastating kind of injury that is not only painful but also leaves a visible scar on the skin and can also cause disfigurement if the burn is really severe.

This is probably one of the worst injuries a child can encounter in their childhood and parents should be wary of this.

Prevent burns and scalds by blocking your child's reach to the spout and teach your child to not touch anything on the bathroom unless he is told to.

Also, by installing thermostatic shower valve you can reliable prevent a hot water temperature surges.

Always check the water temperature first before placing the child in the tub.

5. Prevent Drowning

This accident often happens when the child is left unattended inside the bathroom.

In case you have to leave the bathroom, wrap your child in a towel and take them with you.

Also, make sure to use just enough water in the tub when bathing your child.

Do not fill the tub to the brim. Also, keep the lid of toilet bowls close as children often get curious climbing the toilet bowl.

6. Do Not Bathe the Child Every Day

Since the skin of the child is thinner and more sensitive compared to adult's, bathing them twice or thrice a week is advised unless one lives in a very hot, dry country or the child gets dirtier quicker compared to other children.

7. Proper Lighting

This tip is very basic. A child will definitely trip or have an accident if the bathroom is dim or not properly lit.

Make sure that the lighting within the bathroom illuminates the entire space.

Replace bulbs that are malfunctioning or give off a dim light.

8. Be Mindful of Shampoos, Soaps, and Bubble Baths

Soaking the child in water that contains soap or fragrances can irritate the skin and cause red blotches or rashes.

Make sure to use soaps and bubble baths that are child-friendly as popular brands still contain chemicals that are harmful to the skin and strains the eyes.

Mild soaps and baby shampoos are advised. Natural or organic shampoos can also be applied to the scalp and the skin of infants and toddlers.

9. Electric Appliances

Always keep portable appliances like hairdryers, heaters, radio, and other electric appliances away from the bathroom.

If in case you really need to use an electric appliance inside the bathroom, make sure that they are far away from the open sink, tubs, and showers.

Also, keep them unplugged when not in use. The wet surroundings of a bathroom are prone to electric shock than any areas in the house.

A registered electrical conductor must install electric showers and heaters.

10. Phones

Do not answer the phone while bathing your child but bring your mobile phone with you just in case an accident happens.

Just securely place it in a dry place out of children's reach.

11. Bathroom Cleaners and Other Substances

Since children are curious, it is recommended to keep cleaners, and other chemicals place inside a safe cabinet.

The child might see it as a toy and ingest it. The cabinet must be secured with a lock to keep children from accessing items inside it.

12. Do Not Be in a Rush

This is probably the most important tip as rushing things not only inside the bathroom but in almost all kinds of a task can cause accidents of great peril.

It is far better to be late in an appointment than suffer an accident that can pose a great risk to your child's health or worse, cause terminal injuries.

Take things slow and enjoy bathing your child.