Menu:
Bath Safety
Does someone you love and care for need assistance to bathe?
Safety bath will allow that person to bathe independently and maintain dignity. Safety bath tubs should be designed to allow easy and safe access for seniors and others who find difficulty getting in and out of conventional bathtubs.
Be Careful:
Many parents of infants are aware of the dangers associated with drowning in a backyard pool or at the lake. But they may not realize that a pail of water or a baby bathtub can be just as dangerous. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1 to 4. And these accidents can happen in just two inches of water -- in everything from a wading pool to a bathtub to a toilet. In fact, more than half of drowning among infants occurs in the bathtub.
Many parents make the mistake of just leaving their child "for a second" while they grab the phone or even a towel from the closet. But drowning can happen in just a matter of seconds. And in just two minutes, a child will lose consciousness. If left for as long as four to six minutes, the accident will result in irreversible brain damage and possibly death.
Parents should carefully monitor their children in the bathtub to prevent scalding and other accidents. Dr. Mick Connors, Emergency Medical Physician at East Tennessee Children's Hospital, United States of America states: "Parents can prevent their children from being harmed in the bathroom by rearranging items in cabinets, keeping things out of children's reach, and paying attention to wet floors and children in the bathtub," said Connors. "It is not always easy to keep an eye on small children who are running and crawling around, so we need to protect them from getting into things or hurting themselves in the bathroom."
Bathtub Safety Tips
- Never leave a baby or infant in the bathtub without the supervision of an adult. Keep them within arm's reach at all times. If for any reason you must leave the side of the bathtub, take the baby with you. Do not depend on another young child to watch the baby while he or she is in or near water.
- Be very cautious if you use a bath seat. Bath seats are only a bathing aid, not something meant to protect your child.
- Gather all your bathing supplies (i.e. towel, soap, shampoo) before setting your baby in the water.
- Keep young children out of the bathroom unless you are supervising them.
- Place a cushioned cover over the faucet in case your child falls onto it.
- Be aware of water temperature. What seems hot to an adult can scald an infant's skin in seconds. Check the temperature with your elbow or inside of wrists, or even with a baby bath thermometer.
- Bathe your child at the far end of the tub from the faucet, so they don't accidentally turn on the hot water while playing.
Be especially cautious not to fall asleep in the bathtub, have a timer on and/or someone around. If you experience skin itching or rushing, when taking the bath, stop bathing and take the shower.