Safety for a Baby in the Bathroom

The bathroom holds many dangers for babies.

Most parents view their home as a safe haven for their children, but in reality, the home has many dangers, especially for babies. Bathrooms, in particular, hold many safety concerns for infants, but parents can proactively work to eliminate possible causes of injury, and strictly supervise the area when an infant has to be in the bathroom. According to "Bathroom Safety" by Healthy Children, the best option is to make the room inaccessible to infants by keeping the bathroom closed and latched, and if necessary installing some type of lock out of the child's reach.

Bathtub Safety

Taking a bath can be fun, but dangerous for infants.

The combination of smooth surfaces and water make the bathtub a slippery place. Unsteady infants can easily lose their stability in this area, so parents must take precautions to ensure their infant won't be injured. No-slip grips or mats on the tub floor will keep a baby from slipping, and a cushioned cover for the faucet will protect baby's head in the event she does lose her balance.

Parents should always be within arm's reach of an infant in the bathtub, and resist the urge to leave even for a minute to answer the phone or finish a task. According to Kids Health, an infant can drown in an inch of water, so even a small amount of water can present a danger.

While bathtub rings are convenient devices for keeping a baby sitting up in the tub, they are not a replacement for supervision, as often the suction cups on the bottom will fail and a baby could fall into the water.

Preventing Burns

Parents should always check the temperature of the water before placing a baby in the tub.

One of the largest causes for injury in the bathroom is burning and scalding. According to Kids Health, parents should set the thermostat on their hot water heater to 120 degrees Farenheit to prevent an accidental burn. An infant can be scalded in five seconds in water that is 140 degrees Farenheit.

The faucet in most bathtubs is metal and therefore conducts heat very well. Parents filling a tub should always turn the hot water off first and let the cold water run for a minute so that the faucet itself will cool down and not burn a baby who touches the faucet.

Before placing an infant in the tub, parents should check the temperature with their elbow to make sure it is not too hot for a baby's sensitive skin. The skin on most adults' hands is tough and not as sensitive as a baby's skin, so the elbow is a better option for testing temperature.

Electrical Hazards in the Bathroom

Electrical appliances need to be unplugged and out of a baby's reach.

The combination of water and electrical appliances in a bathroom is a hazardous combination. Parents should get in the habit of keeping everything unplugged in the bathroom, including hair dryers, curling irons and electric razors. An adventurous infant could easily knock these items into a sink or tub of water, causing an electrical shock.

As an additional safety measure, Healthy Children suggests installing ground-fault circuit interrupters in the sockets, which will lessen the chance of injury should an electrical device fall into the water.

Toilet Safety and Babies

A simple lock can prevent a baby from drowning in the toilet.

While the toilet is certainly a hazard for babies because of germs and bacteria, the water itself is an even larger concern. A baby who is crawling and pulling up can easily fall head-first into a toilet and be in a situation where she cannot get herself back out. Unfortunately, the amount of water in a toilet is more than enough to cause an infant to drown. Toilet locks found in the infant safety department of any retailer are inexpensive, easy to install and will prevent any concern about an infant drowning in the toilet.

Other Bathroom Hazards

Remove any hazardous products from the bathroom.

Bathrooms are used to store many substances that can be dangerous to a baby. Medications should be stored in a locked cabinet with safety caps on them. Many people store cleaning supplies underneath their sink, which are extremely dangerous and accessible to a baby. These products must be moved to another location, out of baby's reach.

While some items are a necessity in a bathroom, such as shampoo, soap or toothpaste, these can also harm a child if ingested or played with. All of these items need to find a home out of a baby's reach.

Know What to do in Case of Emergency

Keep emergency phone numbers by the phone.

Taking all of these precautions will hopefully eliminate any chance of a baby being hurt or injured in the bathroom, but parents who want to be ready for any possibility should know what to do in the event of an emergency. Kids Health suggests all parents learn CPR, the Heimlich maneuver for choking and basic first aid. A local chapter of the American Red Cross or doctor's office can direct you in finding a class on these subjects.

Parents should also keep emergency phone numbers by the phone. Numbers to include are emergency services (typically 911 in the United States), a doctor's phone number and the poison-control number, which is 1-800-222-1200. Having the knowledge and ability to respond in an appropriate and rapid manner will give a child the best chances of a positive outcome in the event of an accident.

References

• KidsHealth: Household Safety: Preventing Drowning
• KidsHealth: Household Safety: Preventing Burns, Shocks, and Fires
• KidsHealth: Childproofing and Preventing Household Accidents
• Healthy Children: Bathroom Safety