Child Proofing the Bathroom

One of the most frequented rooms in a home, the bathroom is fraught with potential dangers. With a little common sense, supervision, and a few key actions, you can lessen your child’s risk for injury in the bathroom.

Toilet.

Water is like a magnet for small children. And it only takes a couple inches of water to present a drowning risk to a child. Because children are “top-heavy” with heads much bigger in size relative to their bodies, drowning in a toilet is a real possibility and one that can be prevented. In addition to always keeping a close eye on your child when you know he's in the bathroom, consider installing toilet seat locks to keep him from opening the lid.

Bathtub.

The bathtub presents a “triple threat” to children: It’s an easily accessible source of hot water, a slippery surface on which to fall, and, when filled with water, a significant drowning risk. The following measures can help prevent these threats:

• Install a padded spout cover over the faucet spout to protect heads from bumps.
• Place a non-skid mat or adhesive strips on bottom of tub.
• Consider a water tap cover with cover to limit access to water supply.
• If your tub has sliding glass doors, use a suctioned stopper to prevent opening.
• Turn your home’s water heater down to 120 degrees Fahreinheit. You should be able to hold your hand under the faucet with only the hot water running.
• Never, under any circumstances, leave your child in the bathtub without adult supervision-even for a minute or two.

Garbage can.

To a curious young child, even the trash can be exciting (and of course, dangerous!). Common items such as razors, medications, old cleaning supplies, and hairspray containers can pose serious risks to curious young children. Even plastic bags used to line the garbage can are a suffocation risk. Use caution with bathroom garbage cans. Take dangerous items directly an outdoor trash, out of reach of children.

Medicines.

Most people keep at least some of their medicines in the bathroom. Even if those medicines are kept out of the reach of babies, older toddlers can find creative ways to reach those once out-of-reach places. Always leave medicines in their childproof and labeled containers. Medicines that do not come in childproof containers should be stored well out of reach or, if possible, in a locked cabinet.

Electrical Outlets.

Clearly, water and electricity don't mix. Protect your child by making sure that your bathroom outlets are covered with outlet plugs or slide plates. Also, if the outlets are close to the sink or another water source, make sure that they meet current safety standards. Be sure that electrical devices such as razors and hair dryers aren't left plugged in anywhere near water, and are unplugged and stored away when not in use.

Burn Risk.

Hot water poses the obvious risk when it comes to the potential for burns in the bathroom. You should be able to hold your hand under the faucet with only the hot water running. Simply turning down your water heater to a maximum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit can limit the risk of scalding. Hot curling irons are also responsible for many childhood burns and can be easily avoided by not leaving the cord hanging over the counter or the iron plugged in and unsupervised.

Cleaning supplies.

The bathroom is a convenient but unsafe place to store your cleaning supplies. All cleaning products should be kept in cabinets with childproof locks or stored in a high and hard-to-reach cabinet. In addition, all cleaning products should be stored in their original, labeled, childproof containers.

Windows.

As with any other room in your house, bathroom windows can pose a risk to your child. The cords on the blinds can also be problematic. Cords should be tied up out of reach using a blind winder.

Access.

If possible, a top door lock (installed up high on the outside of the door out of reach of children) or a safety gate can be used to secure the bathroom when it is not in use. But, remember, for this to work, you and everyone else in the house has to be diligent about using it. This is not always possible when you have other potty-trained children in the home.

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. These tips, along with close adult supervision, together can reduce the risks of injury to young children in the home. No product can guarantee safety.