Bathing your children is not only essential for good hygiene, it's also an opportunity to solidify tender, loving bonds when your kids are young--a time that flies by all too fast. But just as you take precautions in your house to safeguard your children against accidents or other hidden dangers, the bathroom area is no exception.
To help parents make bath time safer for their kids, NickJr.com has compiled the following tips and suggestions from experts.
Before the Bath
Like other areas of your house, your bathroom must be safeguarded from and protected against the wanderings and curiosities of your little ones. Cleaning products, detergents and bleach, medications, vitamins, cosmetics, electrical appliances, mouthwash (which has a greater alcohol content than wine), and water all pose risks. So, before you bathe your children, let's childproof the bathroom.
Keep the bathroom locked at all times while you're not inside with your child. Install a hook-and-eye lock high enough up on the door so she cannot unhook it.
Install toilet and cabinet locks to prevent curious minds from mischief or even danger.
Remove or make inaccessible sharp objects such as razors, scissors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, or nail files.
Make sure that all electrical devices--radios, curling irons, hair driers, electric razors--are unplugged and safely stored away.
Making the Tub Safe
It's almost time to get wet. But before you get in the tub, there are still a few things to check first.
To protect against any accidental falls, bumps, bruises, or burns, install a faucet cover over your bathtub taps. They come in colorful, fun animal shapes. You can find this item at baby-supply stores and online vendors.
Consider placing your own bath and beauty products--soaps, shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, after-shave, shaving cream out of the tub and out of reach.
Install a colorful, cheery non-slip mat or bath decals to prevent accidental slips and falls. These can be easily found at baby-supply and hardware toys.
To prevent accidental burns or scaldings, set your hot-water thermostat between 100-125 degrees Fahrenheit. A good test is to place your hand under the hot water only, and if it's still comfortable, then the temperature is at the right level for your little one. Anti-scald devices are also available to keep the water temperature at a safe level.
Place a non-slip bathroom rug by the side of the tub to step out onto. (Slippery, wet floors can be a hazard as well, as your child may not have perfect balance yet, so try to teach your child to be extra careful when he's wet.)
Consider installing grab bars for your little ones to give you and him a sense of security when getting up or down in the bath.
Taking the Bath
The most important rule of bathtub safety is NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNDER 6 ALONE IN THE BATHTUB, NOT EVEN FOR A FEW SECONDS. Tragically, young children have drowned in only a couple of inches of water. So whatever it is--the phone, the door, something on the stove, another child wants attention--has to wait. If it's really important, take your child out of the tub, wrap her in a towel and walk with her out of the bathroom, remembering to lock the door behind you.
If you're alone in the house with your child, take everything you need before you start the bath so you don't need to run out for things and leave your little one alone. Bring along your cell, make sure nothing's on the stove (or it doesn't need any attention for a while); take along pajamas or clean clothes, baby powder, bath toys, and bubble bath.
Never put your child in the bathtub while the water is still running; the water temperature could quickly change or the water level might become too high.
Always run the cold-water tap first when filling a bath, then mix in the warmer water to reduce the risk of scalds or burns.
The water temperature should be between 90 and 100 degrees (check with a bathtub thermometer), as babies and preschoolers generally like a cooler bath than most adults.
For newborns and up to six-month-olds, fill the tub with approximately 2 to 3 inches of water, for older children never more than waist high.
Don't allow your children to touch the taps; she may not be strong enough now, but soon she will be, so constant reinforcement of this rule is a good idea. It's also a good idea to place your child on the far end of the tub, away from the taps.
Once again, never leave your child alone in the bath. It's worth repeating.
Bathtub-Toy Safety
The same stuff that grows on your shower walls and surfaces--bacteria, mold, mildew--can also be found in your children's bathtub toys if not cleaned properly and often. And what's on and in their toys often ends up in their mouth, so some common sense and regular cleaning maintenance should apply.
Avoid buying spongy, porous, or wooden toys, as they tend to retain moisture--a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
Some parents avoid buying toys with holes in them, as they tend to collect water. Squeeze these toys out thoroughly and let to air dry.
Replace bathtub toys every three to six months.
Rinse out all toys thoroughly after each bath and air dry until moisture-free and all surfaces are dry.
If you have a dishwasher, run the toys through once a week or so.
Approximately every two weeks or so, clean the toys with bleach. Use about one tablespoon of liquid bleach for each gallon of water. Let the toys soak for about two minutes and air dry without rinsing with water. For squirting and squeezing toys, though, rinse out thoroughly several times and then air dry.
To save some time, you can clean your tub and toys at the same time: With your child out of the bathroom, fill the bath with the bleach solution, place the toys in a net bag, and allow them to soak for a while.
Like all your children's toys, check box labels carefully before purchasing to make sure the toy is age-appropriate and safe for your little one. Toys that can be pulled apart or have lose buttons or caps are to be avoided as are toys meant for older children.
Children under 3 especially love to put things in their mouth, which of course is a choking hazard.
Toy parts should not be smaller than 1 1/4 inches in diameter or 2/ 1/4 inches long for children under 3 years of age. Test it with a toilet paper roll; if the toy can fit through then it's a choking danger for your under 3-year-old.
Important Disclaimer: The information provided in this NickJr.com health service area is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your child's condition. NickJr.com does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be provided by sponsors or any other third parties. Please also see Nickjr.com's Terms of Use.
