Water Safety

Bathtub Safety: The Dirt On Getting Clean Safely

Whether bathing in a sink or splashing around in the tub, children love to be in water. But tubs and showers can be very dangerous, and cause serious injuries. Keep bath time a safe time with these bathtub safety tips for children.

STEPS TO SAFETY

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ACTIVELY SUPERVISE KIDS
- Never leave your child unattended around water.
- Only adults should watch children in the bathtub. Do not rely on an older sibling to watch young children.
- Bath seats and rings are not safety devices. Smaller children can easily slip out of them and hurt themselves on the side of the tub, or in the water.
CLOSE LIDS AND DOORS
- Keep bathroom doors closed at all times. Place safety covers over doorknobs, to keep kids from opening doors.
- Younger children can drown in toilets, so always keep lids down and install toilet locks.
REMOVE WATER WHEN DONE
- Be sure to drain the tub as soon as your little one is safely out and wrapped in his shark towel.
- Be sure to empty all tubs, buckets, containers and baby pools after you are done using them. Store them upside-down, and out of children’s reach.
LEARN CPR
- In an emergency, seconds matter, so learn first aid and CPR. Find a class in your area here.
WATCH OUT FOR FALLS AND BURNS
- Use non-slip mats inside and outside of the tubs and showers to prevent slips and falls.
- Install safety bars inside tubs and showers.
- If your shower has a glass door, be sure it is shatterproof.
- Always check the water temperature with a temperature-sensing bath toy, or your wrist or elbow, before bathing a baby, toddler or young child.
- Install anti-scald devices on water faucets and shower heads. This will stop the flow of water if it gets too hot.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, or the manufacturer’s recommended setting, to prevent accidental scalding. Be sure to always test the hot water temperature after adjusting the gauges.