What child doesn't love having a bath? Squishy bathtub toys, bubbles and the green light from mom or dad to splash around a bit all add a fun quality to what is a very necessary chore in the lives of children.
But, according to the World Health Organization, children under the age of five are also the most at risk for drowning.
Keeping Kids Safe Around Water
The bathroom accounts for more than 80 per cent of home accidents, making it the most dangerous room in the house, according to the article "Kids and Bath Safety" on the website Pregnancy and Baby.
Many parents assume they will hear a splash or some other type of noise if their child slips under the water. But, drownings can happen quickly and in as little as one inch of water, which is why drowning if often called the silent death.
Safe Kids USA says parents will rarely hearing a splash or cry for help. The organization says a child will lose consciousness after two minutes under water and will suffer irreversible brain four to six minutes after being submerged.
Kids Bath Products to Try in the Tub
Some bath products can help keep children, especially young ones who are just learning to sit on their own, safely seated in the tub. They can also help keep children in one place as they are bathed.
A small portable bathtub works well for newborns and children under a year who are not yet moving around too much. A portable bathtub can be used either in a regular tub or on a counter or table top.
A bath ring is made up of a seat with a hard plastic ring that encircles the baby during the bath. The seat attaches to the tub with suction cups and includes arm rests and a back rest, along with a safety strap.
Don't Leave Children Unattended in a Bath Seat
Bath seats can keep a child in one place during a bath, but they should never be used in place of parental supervision. Some possible problems with bath seats, according to the Home Institute include:
- Suction cups can come off leaving the seat prone to tipping.
- Leg holes too large, which could allow babies to slip under the water.
- Babies can become trapped in the seat and are unable to sit or stand on their own.
Parents should always use caution in the bathtub, even when using a bath seat or ring. They should never leave their children alone.
Tips to Keep Kids Safe Around Water
The National Safety Council offers a number of tips to help parents keep their kids safe in the bathtub.
- Never leave a child alone in the bathtub. Take the child with you if you must leave for any reason.
- Always keep your eye on your child when he or she is in the tub. Parents rarely hear their child slipping under the water.
- Keep a First Aid kit and emergency phone contacts nearby in case their is an emergency. Parents should also be trained in CPR.
- Once they turn three, enroll children in swimming lessons to teach them basic safety rules about water. Remember though, teaching your child to swim doesn't mean she will be "drown-proof."
- Keep an eye out for other possible dangers – such as buckets, toilets and hot tubs full of water.
Bathtime is often an enjoyable experience for young children. Some bath tools can help make the job easier, but nothing will protect your kids better in the bath than your watchful eye.
Charlene Tebbutt - Charlene Tebbutt is a freelance writer in Prince Albert, SK. She has written for a number of newspapers across the province covering ...
