Bathroom safety

Advice on making the bathroom a safe place for your baby, plus the opportunity to purchase a range of baby bath safety products.

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Home safety > Bathroom safety

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For an unaccompanied infant the bathroom can be filled with potential hazards, however by taking a few simple precautions the risk of accidents can be minimised.

Some parents choose to keep the bathroom door locked or blocked with a stair gate to ensure that baby cannot get in unattended. However, this is not an approach favoured by all as baby is not given the opportunity to familiarise themself with the bathroom and learn about its possible dangers before they start toilet training.

Important preautions to take inlude ensuring all medications, toiletries and cleaning products are secured in cupboards high out of babys reach, removing any sharp objects such as nail scissors, razors and tweezers from the bathroom or storing them in a cupboard fitted with a child proof lock as well as keeping electrical appliances out of the bathroom. It is also advisable to fit a child lock on the toilet seat to prevent inquisitive children from looking or climbing inside.

By setting the thermostat on your water heater at no more than 50 degrees Celcius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) you will help to minimise the chance of your baby being burnt by hot water. When running a bath for your baby you should fill the bath with cold water first and then add the warm water. You should check the temperature with your elbow or wrist as opposed to your hand as these areas are more sensitive to heat. Additionally, as babies are so easily burnt (their skin is 15 times thinner than an adults) it is important that the hot water used in an adult bath is drained as soon as it is finished with.

You should never leave your baby unattended in the bath, not even for a second while you answer the phone or go to get something - even when your baby is resting on a bath support or in a baby seat. For this reason it is important to make sure that you have everything you need to bath your baby to hand, if you have forgotten something, take your baby out of the bath and take them with you.

Novelty bath thermometers are available to help you run the optimum temperature for your baby's bath, however if you choose to use one it is vital that you physically check the temperature of the bath water yourself before submerging your baby as if temperatures are extremely hot or cold the thermometer display may not work.

By taking these precautions and making sure you never leave baby unattended in a room with a filled sink or bath, you will help to minimise any potential hazards whilst helping your baby to learn how to use the bathroom safely.