Water safety guidelines at home

Bathtubs:

• Do not leave your kid alone and unattended. If you must answer the phonecall or open the door, do not let another child supervise his/her younger brother/sister. Instead, wrap your baby in a towel and take it with you.

• Check the water temperature! Hot water can be extremelly dangerous, especially for children younger than 5 years of age because their skin is thinner, so can burn more easily. Keep in mind that just 3 seconds of exposure to tap water of (60°C) can cause a third-degree burn. Thermal burns may happen because of steam, hot bath water, coffee/tea cups, hot food.

• Be careful with the slippery ares in the bathroom. In order to stay safe, you can put a plastic bath mat that adheres to the tub.

• Always empty immediately the bath after use. Never leave a bathtub, bucket, or any other container filled with water.

• Never use a bathtub seat without constant supervision because the seat can overturn and the baby slip into the water.

• Close toilet lids and use seat locks to prevent drowning.

• Keep your bathroom doors closed at all times.

• Be aware if there are rough corner edges in the bathroom because the child may get injured.

• It is better to avoid bathtubs with foam cushions because the baby may swallow them.

• Gather ahead of time shampoo, soap and towels in order not to look for them while bathing the baby.

• Adults who suffer from sudden panic attacks, it is better to use showers rather than baths.

Source: kidshealth.org