Splish Splash: Take a Safe Bath

January is recognized as National Bath Safety Month. It’s a good time to take a look around and see how you can make your bathroom safer.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports, on an average, 370 people of all ages suffer bathtub or shower-related injuries each day in the United States. Drowning is the leading cause for unintentional injury deaths of children age 4 and younger, and in children 14 and younger, drowning is the second leading cause for unintentional injury fatalities.

Bathroom safety tips

• Keep bathroom doors closed and secure toilet lids with lid locks.
• Never leave small children alone around any container of water. This includes toilets, tubs, wading pools, spas, aquariums, and buckets.
• Safeguard bathtubs and sinks used for bathing by using faucet covers and nonskid mats or decals.
• Before bathing children, gather the soap, shampoo, toys, towel, diaper, clothing, and any other needed items you might need before running the bath water. Place these items so you can easily reach them.
• After running bath water, check the water temperature before placing the child in the bath water. Set the hot water temperature lower than 115 degrees if there are babies, toddlers and children in the house.
• Some people who are elderly may have less sensation in their hands and therefore may misjudge water temperature. If you have a loved one who is elderly, check the water temperature in their home to avoid scalding injuries.
• Once your child is in the bath, don’t leave for any reason. Children can drown in just a small amount of water. They can easily topple into the tub or toilet. It only takes a few seconds for a drowning to happen.
• If you must leave the room for the telephone or door, take the child with you after taking the child out of the water and wrapping him in a towel.
• To avoid falls and slipping under the water, always keep one hand firmly around the child when bathing him and keep the child sitting.
• For people who are elderly or have disabilities, AARP recommends installing grab bars on walls around the tub and beside the toilet and a portable, hand-held shower head. Install non skid tile or use non-skid bath mats.
*Put away any objects that can harm little ones (pretty much anything they can get their hands on!). Razors, nail clippers, and other adult items should never be within reach of little fingers.

Take advantage of National Bath Safety Week to evaluate your bathroom and make sure that you have taken as many safety precautions as possible. Taking proactive steps to ensure bath safety will help create a safer, healthier environment for you and your family.