Keep Kids Safe in the Bathroom

A friend’s grandchild slipped in the bathroom and crashed into the sink causing a bad bump on the lip and a lot of bleeding. If you have a child that has been recently potty trained that is now spending a lot more time in the bathroom, you may want to take some steps to child proof your bathroom.

 

  • You can try installing a latch on the door to prevent entry without an adult but that can be a bit counterproductive if the child has just been potty trained. You should be sure that the child cannot lock themselves in the room or at least be sure that the key is easily accessible if the child does lock the door.

 

  • Remember that it only takes a few inches of water for a child to drown so never leave children alone while bathing. You may also want to ensure that children cannot fill the bathtub when they are unsupervised. It only takes a moment for an accident to occur. It is a good practice to have everything you will need when bathing a young child ready before putting them into the bathtub. Then you will not need to turn your back on the child for even a minute.

 

  • Even locking the toilet lid shut is a good idea for curious toddlers. They are top-heavy and if a toddler falls into the toilet, she may not be able to get herself out by herself.

 

  • Falls in the bathtub can be minimized if you use the no-slip strips on the bottom of the tub. You may want to remove throw rugs from the bathroom if the floor is a bit slippery. That could prevent a child from taking a hard fall against the bathtub, sink, or toilet.

 

  • Prevent scalds or burns by adjusting your water heater so that the hottest water available from the tap is no hotter than 120. Always test the bath water to be sure it feels warm and not hot. If your child runs the water by himself, teach him to turn the cold water on first.

 

  • All medicine should be placed out of reach for small children. Even if the bottles are out of reach, they still should have child-proof tops. Toothpaste, shampoo, and soap should also be kept out of sight or on a high storage shelf.

 

  • Electric appliances like shavers, radios, electric toothbrush chargers should be stored inside a cabinet; preferably a locked cabinet. Curious toddlers could easily place them into a tub or sink of water. Electricity and water do not mix. You will also want to be sure you have GFI circuits installed in your bathroom. The circuit breaker for the bathroom should also be GFI.

 

These are just a few basic ideas to keep your family safe in the bathroom. Let us know if you have any other suggestions.

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Liz Meimann

I received both my undergraduate and graduate degrees in Food Science at Iowa State University. I love to quilt, sew, cook, and bake. I spent many years gardening, canning, and preserving food for my family when my children were at home.

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