Bathroom Safety for Children

Bathrooms may be small, but they contain multiple serious hazards for young children—drowning, burns, poisoning, and falls can all occur in this room. Never leave a young child alone in the bathroom, even for a moment. With the right precautions, you can make bath time safe and enjoyable.

Drowning Prevention: The Most Critical Issue AAP

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, and many drownings happen in bathtubs. Young children can drown in just inches of water, and it happens silently and quickly.

Critical drowning facts:

• Children can drown in as little as 1-2 inches of water
• Drowning is fast and silent—you may not hear splashing or screaming
• It takes only seconds for a child to slip under water
• Even children who know how to swim can drown in tubs

Bath time rules:

• NEVER leave your child alone in the bath, not even for a second
• If you must answer the phone or door, take your child with you wrapped in a towel
• Ignore distractions—nothing is more important than watching your child
• Never leave water standing in the tub after bath time
• Stay within arm's reach of children under 4

After bath time:

• Drain the tub immediately
• Don't leave the room while water is draining
• Make draining the tub part of your routine

Toilet safety:

• Install toilet locks
• Keep bathroom doors closed
• Curious toddlers can fall head-first into toilets
• Never use toilet to dispose of cleaning chemicals (children may reach in)

Buckets and containers:

• Empty all buckets immediately after use
• Never leave mop buckets or cleaning buckets unattended
• 5-gallon buckets are particularly dangerous

Bath Seats and Rings: A False Sense of Security CPSC

Bath seats and rings are NOT safety devices and can actually be dangerous.

The dangers:

• They can tip over
• Children can slip out or climb out
• They give parents a false sense of security
• Many drownings have occurred with bath seats

If you use a bath seat:

• Never leave your child unattended
• The seat doesn't replace supervision
• Keep hand on baby at all times
• Consider not using one at all

Burn Prevention Safe Kids

Hot water can cause severe burns in seconds. Young children have thinner skin and burn more quickly than adults.

Water temperature safety:

• Set water heater to 120°F (48°C) or below
• Always test bath water with your elbow or wrist before putting child in
• Run cold water first, then add hot, then cold again before bath
• Install anti-scald devices on faucets
• Teach children not to touch faucet handles

How quickly burns occur:

• At 150°F: serious burn in 2 seconds
• At 140°F: serious burn in 5 seconds
• At 130°F: serious burn in 30 seconds
• At 120°F: serious burn in 5 minutes

Other burn hazards:

• Curling irons and flat irons
• Hair dryers
• Space heaters (shouldn't be in bathroom)
• Hot faucets

Appliance safety:

• Unplug and store hot styling tools immediately after use
• Keep appliances away from water
• Don't leave appliances plugged in
• Store out of children's reach

Poison Prevention Poison Control

Bathrooms often contain numerous toxic substances.

Common bathroom poisons:

• Medications (prescription and over-the-counter)
• Cosmetics and toiletries
• Cleaning supplies
• Mouthwash (contains alcohol)
• Toilet bowl cleaners
• Hand sanitizer
• Essential oils
• Nail polish and remover

Safe storage:

• Keep ALL medications in locked cabinets
• Store products up high or in locked cabinets
• Keep everything in original containers
• Never call medicine "candy"
• Dispose of expired medications safely

Medication safety:

• Don't take medications in front of children if possible
• Close and secure caps immediately
• Count pills if child might have accessed them
• Be aware of visitors' medications in bags

Slip and Fall Prevention AAP

Wet bathrooms create slip hazards for children and caregivers.

In the tub:

• Use non-slip bath mat inside tub
• Install grab bars if possible
• Teach children to stay seated in tub
• Empty tub before child gets out
• Have child sit while draining water

On bathroom floor:

• Use non-slip rugs
• Clean up water immediately
• Keep floors clear of toys and clutter
• Consider non-slip floor treatment

General fall prevention:

• Never leave child standing in tub alone
• Keep toilet lid closed (climbing hazard)
• Don't let children climb on toilet to reach sink
• Use a sturdy step stool when needed

Electrical Safety

Water and electricity don't mix. Bathrooms require special attention to electrical hazards.

GFCI outlets:

• Required in all bathrooms (ground fault circuit interrupters)
• Cut power if they detect electrical imbalance
• Test monthly by pressing test button
• Have electrician install if your bathroom lacks them

Appliance rules:

• Never use electrical appliances near water
• Keep radios, phones, and other devices away from tub
• Unplug appliances when not in use
• Keep hair dryers and curling irons stored away

Teaching children:

• Never touch anything electrical with wet hands
• Keep toys away from outlets
• Only adults use plugged-in appliances

Making Bath Time Safe and Enjoyable

With safety measures in place, bath time can be wonderful bonding time.

Setting up for safe bath time:

• Gather everything you need before starting bath
• Have towels, clothes, and diaper within arm's reach
• Use comfortable water temperature (warm, not hot)
• Fill tub with just a few inches of water for babies

Safe bath toys:

• Choose age-appropriate toys
• Avoid toys with holes that can harbor mold
• Squeeze out water from toys after each bath
• Replace moldy toys
• Avoid toys that could be choking hazards

Bath routine tips:

• Make bath time routine and predictable
• Stay focused—no phone during bath
• Talk, sing, and play with your child
• Make safety rules part of the routine

Bathroom Door and Access

Controlling access to the bathroom helps prevent unsupervised exploration.

Door strategies:

• Keep bathroom door closed
• Install door knob cover on outside of bathroom
• Use hook-and-eye lock high on door
• Consider door alarm to alert when opened

Supervision reminders:

• Never leave bathroom door open with water in tub
• Check bathroom during searches for missing child
• Be aware other children may enter bathroom unsupervised

Age-Specific Considerations

Babies (0-12 months):

• Support baby throughout bath
• Use infant tub or sink for early baths
• Keep bath short (5-10 minutes)
• Never take eyes off baby

Toddlers (1-3 years):

• Still require constant supervision
• May try to climb out of tub
• Getting more mobile—secure all hazards
• Start teaching water safety rules

Preschoolers (3-5 years):

• Still supervise in bathroom
• Can start learning to wash themselves with guidance
• Reinforce safety rules
• May resist supervision—stay firm

School-age:

• Can bathe alone but should check in
• Make sure they understand safety rules
• Keep hazardous items secured
• Discuss bathroom privacy appropriately

Emergency Preparedness

If drowning occurs:

• Remove child from water immediately
• Call 911
• Begin CPR if trained and needed
• Don't delay—seconds matter

For burns:

• Cool burn with cool running water for 10-20 minutes
• Don't use ice or butter
• Cover loosely
• Seek medical care for significant burns

For poisoning:

• Call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
• Have product available for information
• Follow their instructions

The Bottom Line

Bathroom safety centers on one rule: never leave your child unattended. Beyond that, control water temperature, lock up medications and toxins, prevent slips and falls, and keep electrical devices away from water. With these precautions, bath time can be safe quality time with your child.

Clara can help you navigate bathroom safety at every stage!