How to Make Your Bathroom Safe for Children

The bathroom, as it is even for us adults, is the most dangerous room in your house for your children as well. Worries about germs aside, the tub, sink, and toilet are potential drowning hazards. With water also comes the risk of slips and falls. On top of that, the chemicals and detergents often found in bathrooms are generally hazardous in one quantity or another. As a parent, it is your duty to protect your child from the dangers of the bathroom, and here’s a good place for you to start.

Restrict Access to the Bathroom

Your child should never be in the bathroom without adult supervision. The best way to prevent this is with a hook and eye lock that is on the outside of the bathroom door. Be sure that your spouse and older children lock it whenever they leave the bathroom. While this is a great safeguard to have in place, however, it is not guaranteed.

Use Non-Slip Mats

The bathroom is filled with surfaces that can get dangerous when they are wet. To prevent this, use non-slip mats. At minimum, you should have one of these outside of the bathtub and inside of the bathtub. In front of the sink is another good place to consider. Keep an eye to how your bathroom is laid out, where water could splash and where the edges of counters are. These are the areas where your child is most likely to injure themselves.

Avoid Mold Exposure

When mold and/or mildew grows in your bathroom, it can cause respiratory problems, along with upset stomach, even fever and vomiting. To prevent growth in bath toys, be sure they dry out thoroughly after each bath. Remove any excess water and store these items in a mesh bag. To prevent mold and mildew growth in the bathroom, be sure that towels are dried properly and that the bathroom is well-ventilated.

Keep Appliances Unplugged

It is very easy to run out of the bathroom in the morning and leave your straightening iron, blow dryer, or electric razor plugged in. However, electric appliances are very dangerous for young children. This is especially true in the bathroom, where with a little water, these appliances can lead to electric shock. Try to remember to unplug your bathroom tools whenever they are not in use. Not only do they pose a shock risk, they can burn or puncture your child’s skin.

Keep Toothpaste, Shampoos, Razors, and More Out of Reach

There are a number of products that are typically stored in the bathroom that pose a threat to your little one. This includes razors or other sharp tools as well as substances that are harmful if ingested. Begin by trying to store any pills or poisonous substances in a medicine cabinet or on a high shelf. You should also remove all shampoos and soaps from the tub before bathing your child. Finally, keep any cabinets that are at child level locked, empty, or filled with safe things like toilet paper, bath toys, or towels.

Be Wary of Pooling Water

It takes less than an inch of water to drown anyone, including a child. Because of children’s curiosity and inexperience, as well as their lack of coordination, it is important to always drain any pooling water completely. As soon as you are done with bath or sink water, pull the plug.

Familiarize Yourself with Emergency Services

As always, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but be sure to familiarize yourself with nearby hospitals and pediatric urgent care centers like Night Lite Pediatrics. Keeping the number of your family doctor handy is also good practice – in the event of any confusion of the severity of an injury, they can advise you in whether urgent or emergency care is needed.


Lautaro Martinez is a freelance writer and family man who contributes insights and advice on issues from child care to family living and home improvement.