Bath safety for your baby or young child

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Bath safety for your baby or young child

Many near-drowning and drowning accidents occur in the bathtub and can be prevented by following these recommendations:^{1 2}

• Never leave a baby alone in the bathtub, even for a moment. Always keep the baby within arm's reach.
• Never leave children in charge of watching their younger siblings while bathing, even if they are in the tub with them. Drowning can occur very quickly and silently.
• A bath seat or ring does not prevent drowning. Do not assume a baby or young child is safe when he or she is left alone or with an older sibling while supported by these devices.
• Install nonslip strips or mats on the bottom of the bathtub.
• Always drain the water from the tub immediately after the bath.

References

Citations

1. American Academy of Pediatrics (2002). Home water hazards for young children. The Injury Prevention Program (TIPP). Available online: http://www.aap.org/family/homewatr.htm.

2. Consumer Product Safety Commission (2002). Prevent Child In-Home Drowning Deaths. Consumer Product Safety Alert. Available online: http://cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/drown.html.

Credits

Last updated:	March 13, 2007
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC