Ideally, bathroom doors should be kept closed (and door knob covers or a hook-and-eye latch used to prevent a child from entering) when not in use so younger children can’t enter, but even when adults are in the bathroom with a child, it is imperative to take adequate safety measures and use general safety items to keep kids safe.
Burns
Lower the household water heater thermostat to 120 degrees. When starting bath water, turn the cold water on first, and test the water before allowing the child in.
If possible, place the hot and cold water control valves away from the faucet to lessen the chance of a child accidentally turning on the hot water.
Always turn off bathroom heaters when not in use, and place them where they can’t be reached by children. Be careful not to leave children under heat lamps for too long.
Use a protective cover over the tub spout to prevent bumps and burns.
Poisoning
Do not leave hair care products or soaps, bath gels, face wash and the like on the side of the tub or within reach.
Do not dispose of medications in the wastebasket.
Keep the wastebasket covered or out of reach in case any harmful item has been placed in the trash (including items like razors).
Keep cleaning products and harmful items out of reach.
Keep medications in a locked cabinet or box, preferably out of the bathroom.
Drowning
Do not leave any water in the tub or sink when not in use.
Children under the age of five should never be left alone in the tub or shower, even for a minute. Ignore any phone calls or doorbells. Accidental drowning can happen faster than it takes to answer the phone and return to the bathroom.
Keep toilet bowl seats down and locked.
Falls
Make sure there are non-slip surfaces outside of the bathtub by placing mats and easy dry carpets (with non-slip material on the bottom) on the bathroom floor, however, do not carpet floors in the bathroom because water soaked into the padding under the carpet can create a breeding ground for bacteria.
Install grab bars around the bathtub, attached directly to the studs in the wall so they are secure.
Remove any items on the bathroom floor that could cause someone to trip, and immediately wipe up any wet spots.
Do not leave soap on the side of the tub where it can slip into the bottom where your child will be stepping.
Keep bathtub clean of any build-up caused by soaps, shampoos, conditioners and body wash.
Electrocution
Eliminate as many electrical appliances as possible, or use them in another room all together.
Electrical outlets should be equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters, which will automatically ground an appliance if it comes in contact with water.
Unplug appliances when not in use and put away.
Do not use electrical appliances around water.
Inspect electrical wiring inside the bathroom to make sure there are no exposed electrical outlets or plug sockets.
