Greater Sacramento Area
(916) 652 - 7709
Bathroom Safety
Cross the room for a towel (10 seconds) a child in the bathtub can become submerged
Answer the phone (2 minutes) that child can loose consciousness
Sign for a package at your front door (4-6 minutes) a child submerged in a bathtub or pool
can sustain permanent brain damage.
Bathroom safety devices can be purchased in baby supply stores. Before baby arrives equip your bathrooms with safety devices.
Empty bathtub
When bath is over, immediately empty water.
Make the end of bath time a game…
part of your ritual.
Involve child and have them pull the plug out of the drain…
wave bye-bye to the water…
sing a special song.
Remember…”Bathwater out before baby out”.
If it becomes a habit
your child will remind you of the rules.
Latches
Always keep toilet lids down
and place latches on all toilet lids.
A small child does not have the strength or coordination
to pull head out should they lean in too far.
Constant Supervision
NEVER leave child alone,
not even for a couple of seconds.
AVOID all distractions such as answering phone, running to see who is at the door,
checking the stove etc.
There is nothing important enough to risk drowning. It is very easy for a child
to topple over and drown
in only a few inches of water.
Keep doors to Bathrooms and Utility Rooms closed
Use doorknob safety devices
to keep children from freely entering
bathrooms or utility rooms where dangers hide.
Bath seats
Bath seats that suction to the bottom of the tub
can be used to keep child in an upright position.
DO NOT rely on them to keep baby upright in tub. Supervision is still a MUST.
Get Suplies first
Gather need bath supplies such as
soap, towel, washcloth, diapers, clothing bath toys, before you even run the bath water.
If you have forgotten something
take the baby out of tub and take them with you. Place needed items
where you can easily reach them.
Slippery floors
Use (and teach your child to use)
extra caution when exiting bath tub with wet feet.
Use a non-slip rug for your child to step out on.
Faucet covers
Place soft insulated faucet covers on tub fixtures
to protect child
from accidental bumps and scratches.
Older children
Never leave baby
under the supervision of an older child or sibling. The responsibility is too great
to put in the hand of a young person.
Slips and falls
Use of non-slip rubber mats or adhesive stickers
on bottom of tub
help to avoid slipping and falling accidents.
Phone
Take phone into bathroom
(preferably land line) in case of an emergency.
Use for emergency call only.
Bath time should be focused on your child.
Land line 911 calls
show home address on the dispatcher’s screen. Program local emergency # into cell phone.
Cell phone emergency 911 calls
may go to a dispatcher far from your home
and it takes unnecessary, critical time
to be connected to local emergency help. SECONDS count in case of an emergency!
Electrical items
Keep ALL electrical items
away from bathtub area
(including hair dryers, curling irons,
radios, electric razors).
© Wallypogs 2010