Children are a precious gift, so parents need to protect them as such. Not every parent knows the full rundown of how to keep their child safe in the bathroom, though. Everyone’s favorite Houston plumbing company put together these 5 basic bathroom tips in hopes that children will be safer in bathrooms. Let’s get started!
Supervision is Key
Believe it or not, small children can easily drown in a few inches of water. The typical bathing aids are meant for assisting in the bathing process- not to keep the child afloat. Before bathing the child, grab everything you’ll need. You should not walk away from the bathtub for even a moment. If a need arises to move away from the bathtub, always bundle your little one up and take them with you. Be sure to always drain the tub when not in use to prevent children from climbing in and drowning.
Water Temperatures
While an adult might enjoy a hot shower or bath, a young child should not be in hot water. Check your water heater to ensure that the highest temperature the water can get up to is 120 degree. Before putting the baby in the bathtub, test the water on your wrist or elbow to ensure that it’s a warm temperature- not hot. If your child is old enough to turn the faucet on themselves, be sure to teach them how to first turn the faucet to cold and gradually move to the warmer temperature.
Slippery Bathtubs and Falling Babies
Even grown adults can slip in a bathtub with no grips on the bottom. Children are certainly no different. Install a grip mat in the bottom of the tub- it’s something that is sure to benefit everyone who uses the tub. Also, look into purchasing soft attachments for the faucet. In the instance that your child slips, the impact to their head or body will be much lighter with a cushion on the hard water spout. Another smart tip is to buy and use a latch for the toilet seat. While it might sound far fetched, children have been known to curiously play in the toilet. Some have even managed to tip themselves over into the toilet bowl, causing them to drown. It’s better to buy the gadget and get in the habit of using it after using the toilet than be sorry later on, isn’t it?
Electric Appliances
If we’re being honest, even adults shouldn’t keep electric appliances plugged in when not in use. Adults should especially refrain from doing so when children are in the house. It’s very easy for one wrong move to send an electronic item into a bathtub, a sink, or even a toilet. On top of unplugging the electronics, be sure to stow them in an area with a lock or where a child can’t reach. If possible, consider using the electronic items in an area in which there is no water. If you’re still concerned, contact an electrician about installing special bathroom sockets that can reduce the possibility of an electrical injury.
Toiletry and Medicine Storage
Needless to say, keep all medications in child-resistant containers. Notice we said child-RESISTANT, not child-proof. Because there is still a possibility of a little one getting their hands on a pill bottle, be sure to lock them up high in a locked cabinet. Same goes for shampoos, soaps, and other cosmetics. Keep them in a separate locked cabinet, away from the medication, and high enough to be out of reach for little hands.
An area of the house that we take for granted can easily turn into a terrible accident for a little one. In order to keep your child safe, consider all of the possibilities that can happen when little hands and curious minds are running around. If you’d like more tips on creating a safer bathroom environment, feel free to give Santhoff, your Houston plumbing company, a call!