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Home » Consumer Information » Water Safety

Bathtub Safety

Bathing can be a special bonding moment for new parents. Infants and young children rely entirely on their mothers and fathers for baths, so it is essential that some bathtub safety rules are strictly adhered to at all times.

Never leave your child unattended.

No child should ever be left alone in a bath for any period of time. They should always be within arms reach of a parent or guardian. Statistics have shown that a very young child may drown in just one inch of water, and it only takes a couple of minutes for disaster to strike. When you are bathing your child, ignore the phone, a knock at the door and anything else that may be going on. Until your child is out of the tub, you must remain right by their side. No distraction is worth the risk.

Preparing the bath

Gather everything you will need for the bath before you turn on the water faucet. Keep items such as soap, shampoo and bath toys within arms reach so that your focus is never taken away from the child. If there is something you must go get after the bath has started, bring the child with you to retrieve it.

While you are filling the tub, pay careful attention to the temperature. Put your hand in the water and swirl it around to be certain that it is not too hot or too cold. The water should feel comfortable to you, and the temperature should be even throughout the tub before your child gets inside. Don't fill the tub with any more water than you will need to properly bathe your child. Keep the water level low, and be vigilant to make sure the child does not slip under the water at any time.

As soon as the bath is over, empty the water right away. Never leave standing water in the tub, as young children may be tempted to get in. Always make sure the tub has completely drained before leaving the room.

Child proof the tub.

The water spout can be a source of danger to your child. It can get hot to the touch, and it is easy for a child to slip and hit the spout. There are a variety of spout covers that may be purchased for your tub, usually foam covers in the shape of animals or other fun designs that children will enjoy.

You may choose to purchase a bathing seat for the child to sit on. While these do provide extra security, remember they are not life saving devices and you will still need to remain by the child's side at all times. When children get a little older, put rubber mats on the bottom of the tub to decrease the possibility of them slipping and falling, and place non-slip carpet mats just outside of the tub for them to step on to as they get out.

Until your child gets a little older, their safety and security while in the bath rests completely on you. Take every precaution possible and play it safe during bath time.