Child Safety: Bathing
Topic Overview
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
- Consumer Product Safety Commission (accessed 2010). Prevent
child in-home drowning deaths. CPSC Document No. 5013. Available online:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/chdrown.html.
- Safe Kids Canada (2010). Safety Information: Bathtubs. Available online: http://www.safekidscanada.ca/parents/safety-information/drowning-prevention/tubs-drowning/bathtubs.aspx.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MD, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics |
|---|
| Last Revised | March 23, 2011 |
|---|
Last Revised:
March 23, 2011
Consumer Product Safety Commission (accessed 2010). Prevent
child in-home drowning deaths. CPSC Document No. 5013. Available online:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/chdrown.html.
Safe Kids Canada (2010). Safety Information: Bathtubs. Available online: http://www.safekidscanada.ca/parents/safety-information/drowning-prevention/tubs-drowning/bathtubs.aspx.
