Baby Bath Time Safety Tips

January is National Bath Safety Month. 

Did you know:

-Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1-4

-Drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in children aged 1-14 years. 

-Of all preschoolers who drown, 70 percent are in the care of one or both parents at the time of the 

drowning and 75 percent are missing from sight for five minutes or less. 

-Children under one year most often drown in bathtubs, buckets, or toilets.

In honor of National Bath Safety Month, I feel I need to share with you certain precautions that need to be taken with small children and bath time.

~  Never Leave A Child Alone in the Tub

This should be a no-brainer, but sometimes parents get caught up in other things that need to be taken care of and step out of the room for a minute.  The phone will ring, UPS will knock on the door, the baby will cry... It doesn't matter.  Under no circumstances should a child under 6 be left unattended while bathing.  Like the statistic up above states - 75% of preschoolers who drown are without supervision for less than 5 minutes.  Small children can (and have) drown in only an inch or two of water, so it is crucial to keep an eye on them at all times.

If you absolutely have to leave the bathroom, take your child out of the tub, wrap a towel around them, and bring them with you.  Don't forget to lock the door!

 ~  Prevent Burns

To keep water from getting too hot and unintentionally burning or scalding your little one(s), make sure to keep your water heater's thermostat between 100-125°F.  Always test the temperature before putting your baby in the water by placing the inside of your wrist or forearm into the water.  If it's too warm, add cool water.

Never place your child in the tub while the water is still running.  So may things can cause the water temperature to change quickly - such as a toilet flushing or the dishwasher switching cycles.  Fill the water to an appropriate level and then put your child in.

~  Prevent Slips and Falls

Add a textured bath mat to the bottom of the tub, or even little decals that match your decor.  Whatever your choice, be sure to check them frequently for mold as being in a wet environment can cause bacteria to grow under bath mats.

Also be sure to have a non-slip rug outside of the bathtub to prevent your child from sliding as he or she gets out of the tub.

~  Keep it Clean

Water play is one of the most favorite play times for kids.  A bucketful of bath toys constantly litter our bathroom floor and counters, and if you have kids I'm sure you can relate.  It's extremely important to make sure these toys stay germ free and clean.

After each bath, rinse out toys and let them air dry.  Running toys through the dishwasher once a week will help keep them germ-free.  Avoid porous toys like sponges or wooden toys for the tub, since these retain moisture and help bacteria to breed.


Kids love water, and should be allowed to play in it.  Just make sure you stay informed and be safe, and let them have fun!

This post 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.