If someone designed the most dangerous possible room for a baby, it would look a lot like your average bathroom. Hard tile floors. Standing water. Toxic chemicals under the sink. Medications at eye level. Slippery surfaces everywhere.
Let's fix that.
Drowning Risk
This is the scary one. A baby can drown in just one inch of water. It takes less than two minutes, and it's often silent. No splashing, no screaming.
- Rules:
- Never leave a baby alone in the bath. Not for a second. Not to grab a towel. Not to answer the phone.
- Drain the tub immediately after bath time.
- Keep the toilet lid locked. Yes, a toddler can fall headfirst into a toilet and not be able to get out.
- Empty any buckets or containers that hold water.
Medications
The average bathroom medicine cabinet is basically a pharmacy. Pain relievers, cold medicine, vitamins, prescription drugs - all with child-resistant caps that aren't childproof. "Child-resistant" means it takes a child longer to open, not that they can't.
Move all medications to a high cabinet with a lock. Every single one. This includes vitamins and supplements, which account for a surprising number of pediatric poisoning calls.
Cleaning Products
Toilet bowl cleaner, bleach, drain cleaner - these are some of the most caustic chemicals in your house. And they're usually stored right under the sink at toddler height.
Install cabinet locks on every bathroom cabinet. Use the kind that require two actions to open (press and pull, squeeze and turn). Simple magnetic locks work great and are invisible from the outside.
Hot Water Burns
A baby's skin burns at lower temperatures than adult skin. Water at 120°F, which feels comfortable to an adult, can give a child a third-degree burn in seconds.
Turn your water heater down to 120°F or lower. Install anti-scald devices on bathtub faucets. And always test bath water with your elbow or a thermometer before putting your baby in.
Slippery Surfaces
Wet tile is basically an ice rink. Use non-slip mats both inside the tub and on the floor next to it. Make sure bath mats have rubber backing.
Small Items
Razors, scissors, tweezers, hair pins, cotton swabs - bathrooms are full of small, sharp, or chokeable items. Keep everything in closed drawers or cabinets, not on the counter.
The Door
Install a lock on the outside of the bathroom door, high enough that your toddler can't reach it. When the bathroom isn't in use, it should be closed and locked. This one simple step prevents most bathroom accidents because it keeps kids out entirely.
Quick Wins
Total cost: under $30. Total time: under 30 minutes. Worth it.