Hey guys! We are super excited to share that January is National Bath Safety Month. This month we will be sharing some safety tips to help you have the best bathtime experiences in your home. Here are a few tips for your family:
Stay with them
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children 4 and under always have a parent or caregiver present when they are near water, including the tub. Accidents can happen in an instant.
Prevent slips
Young children do not have the coordination or strength to hold steady if they lose their balance. Affix a slip-resistant plastic mat that suctions to the bottom of the tub and make sure the bath mat outside the tub does not slide when stepped on. Consider installing a grab bar for kids to hold onto when stepping in and out of the bath.
Clean bath toys
Toys used in water play can harbor dangerous mold. Clean water toys with disinfectant frequently to prevent mold growth. (Be sure to rinse well before giving to children.) Pay close attention to toys that squirt water, those are often the ones that harbor mold.
Test the temperature
Always wait until the tub is finished filling up before placing your child in the water, as the temperature can change. Set your home’s water heater to deliver water no hotter than 120 degrees to lower the risk of scalding. If you don’t have control over the heater, buy an anti-scald device that attaches to the faucet.
Beware of sharp edges
Use a rubber cover for the faucet head and drape a towel over metal rails for shower doors when your child is in the bath. Make sure any glass shower doors are made of shatterproof glass. Avoid bath toys with hard edges or points that could be hazardous if your child falls onto them.
Nothing is more important than the safety of your little ones. Instead of waiting to implement these safety standards in your home, put them in place right away as part of National Bath Safety Month.
xx,
Andrea
