When it comes to babies, you’ve always got to be one step ahead of them. That’s why it’s important to know how to baby proof your bathtub.
I’m sure we’ve all had our own accidents in the tub, so think about how easy it is for one of your children to get hurt in the bath. From experience, I can tell you that the bathtub is full of hazards for your little ones.
But, by babyproofing your bathtub, you’ll be eliminating a lot of those harmful elements. And, we’re here to guide you step by step on how to make your bathtub a baby proof bathtub.
Here’s a list of baby proof bathtub methods that I live by, as well as some other safety measures that other parents swear by. But, before we dive into babyproofing methods, let’s look at some of the reasons why babyproofing is so important.
Why You Need to Baby Proof Your Bathtub
According to a report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 90 kids drown at home each year — 66 percent of those accidents happen in the bathtub.
That may not sound like a huge statistic, but it’s always best to stay on the safe side by babyproofing your bathtub. Not only will you be able to prevent your kids from drowning, with these safety measures, you’ll save them from getting hurt in every other way the bathtub can pose a threat.
Did you know that 2 year olds have the largest number of bathtub accidents? Not only that, but more than half of all bathtub injuries happen to kids below 5 years old. That’s a huge amount of injuries.
Toddlers don’t have much strength or balance. And, because of this, they slip and fall easily, most of the time, directly on their little heads.
To kids, bathtubs are just smaller sized swimming pools with bath toys and soap. They aren’t thinking about being cautious or that they’re able to get hurt. Babyproofing your bathtub can relieve your worries and allow your kids to bathe freely.
Babyproofing your bathtub can prevent the following:
Drowning
Drowning is always something to worry about when your child is in or around water. It’s actually one of the most common causes of death in children aged 1 to 4 years old. Drowning in the bathtub is seen most often when bathing infants, as parents don’t realize how easy it is for them to drown. Though this is also something to worry about with your toddlers.
That’s why baby proofing your bathtub is necessary to prevent accidental drowning. You can give your child a bath without the added worry of them having an accident.
Cuts and Bruises
Sharp objects are everywhere in your bathroom and around your home. There are many hard objects that your child can bump or fall on. These babyproofing measures will help you keep your baby safe and out of harm’s way.
Slips and Falls
It’s so easy to slip in a bathtub. I’m sure it happens to us all. But, when it comes to your kids, that fall can be much worse. Prevent slips and falls by following these baby proof bathtub methods so your kids can have a carefree bathtime.
Scalds and Burns
The bathtub faucet can burn or scald your child’s skin in as little as a few seconds. What’s even worse is that some hot water taps remain hot when turned off. Be sure to take these things into account before placing your child in the tub, or near the bathtub faucet.
Guide on How to Baby Proof Your Bathtub
Now that you’ve learned some of the reasons why it’s so important to baby proof your bathtub, let’s move onto the how part.
Follow these baby proof bathtub safety measures to ensure your baby is safe in the tub.
Supervise Your Child
It’s been reported that more than 43,000 kids go to the emergency room for bathtub injuries each year. Of course, not all of these injuries happen because the parent isn’t watching the child. But, you can bet that a handful of them have happened because a child was left unsupervised in the tub.
A small child should never be left alone in the bathtub, even with all of these baby proof bathtub methods intact. It’s always safer to be by your baby’s side while in water.
If you need to get out of the bathroom, wrap your child up in a towel, and take them right along with you. Or, if someone else is available, have them watch your child while you slip out to do what you need.
Keep the Bath Water Shallow
Babies can drown in as little as 1 inch of water. This means that anything higher poses a huge threat to your child. It’s always best to keep the water level under 2 inches.
If you feel like your child may be a bit chilly, keep the bathroom warm and close the door.
Get That Shower Curtain Out of The Way
Has your child ever pulled on the shower curtain or shower liner? My kids definitely have, and boy is it frustrating. There have been times where I’ve had to completely remove the shower curtain (hooks, and all) from the bathtub.
If your children aren’t standing yet, all you need to do is move it to the side, out of their sight. You can also hang the part that touches the tub onto the curtain rod.
If that still doesn’t stop them, remove it completely from the bathtub, or be sure to have a sturdy rod that doesn’t fall if a small child pulls on the shower curtain.
Use a Bath Seat
If your child doesn’t mind it, a bath seat can be the answer to all your bath time problems. You won’t need to keep a tight hold on your child with a bath seat so you’ll be able to relax a bit while bathing them.
A bath seat attaches to the bathtub using suction cups. You then simply slide your tot in the seat and they’re unable to move around the bathtub. It also sits them upright so you don’t have to.
Try Out a Baby Proof Bathtub Separator
With a bathtub separator, you’ve pretty much got yourself a baby bathtub. A bathtub separator makes the bathtub smaller so you can control how much your baby can move around.
It also allows you to control the amount of water that your baby plays in. Instead of giving them full access to the entire tub, you’ll be putting them in their own little section where they’re much safer and have a reduced risk of drowning.
Gather All Your Bathroom Supplies
Make sure to have all your bath items handy before putting your toddler in the bath. It’s always dangerous to leave your child unattended to go get something you forgot.
And, if you’re bathing a baby who still can’t sit up right, you’ll need everything close by so you can keep your hands on your child. It helps to have a bathroom organizer to store all your bath items. You can also find bathtub kneelers that sit on the edge of the tub and hold all your supplies.
Test The Bath Water
Before you place your baby in the bathtub, always test the water temperature. You can do this by placing your elbow in the water to make sure it isn’t too hot. You can also test the water with a baby bath thermometer. The water should be around 100 degrees Fahrenheit for a comfortable bath.
If your baby cries once you put them in the water, that could indicate that the water is too hot. For this reason, there are anti-scald devices that prevent the water from getting too hot. These are especially made for kids to prevent burns.
Reduce Water Heater Temperature
If you’re afraid of your child burning their hands from the hot water, reducing the water temperature on your water heater can eliminate this problem.
Keeping your water heater set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your children from scalding their skin by the hot water tap. This also will keep the hot water tap from being hot in case your little one touches it.
Although, you could always just turn the cold tap on after you’ve closed the hot tap to prevent the faucet from being too hot to touch.
Cover the Bath Spout
The bath spout poses many dangers. First of all, it’s a hard metal hazard that sticks right out of the wall. And, almost all of the time, it’s directly in the way.
The opening is sometimes sharp and can cut your child. There’s also having to worry about your child bumping their head on it while standing or playing. The best thing to do is conceal it with a bath spout cover.
Spout covers come in many different fun shapes and designs, and are made with kids in mind. They simply go right over the spout while still allowing water to flow through.
Purchase Non-Slip Baby Proof Bathtub Mats
Bath mats are essential for any bathtub, kids or not. There’s always a risk of someone falling or slipping in the bathtub. The smooth surface covered with water and soap is an accident that’s happened way too many times.
Getting a sturdy bath mat to prevent any slips is the smart and safe thing to do. However, it’s, without a doubt, completely necessary for your kid’s bathtime. Their soft, smooth skin slides super easily on the bathtub surface.
A bath mat will prevent any slips, especially when your child wants to stand up. Just be sure to clean underneath the bath mat once in a while to prevent mold and soap residue.
You’re Ready to Baby Proof Your Bathtub
Accidents happen in the bathtub every day. The only way to ensure your child is safe is to baby proof your bathtub. Following the guide above will help make bath time safe and enjoyable for your kids.
Babyproofing your bathtub can take some time, but once it’s done, you can have some peace of mind knowing that you’ve taken the necessary steps to reduce your baby’s risk of injury.
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