One of the leading concerns for parents when it comes to their kids’ safety is their use of the bathroom. This room is second only to the kitchen in the number of injuries that are sustained in an area. Safety could be as easy as installing a latch or two but, as parents, you should look beyond mere locks and bolts.
Childproofing Basics
The leading deterrence will always be adult supervision. A child can drown in just a few inches of water. This should mean that no adult should leave their kid, alone, in his bath even for just a few seconds. If you really have to answer the ringing phone, then it is best to bring your kid with you.
Here’s another tip: Do not leave water (used or unused) in the bathtub. It also pays to invest in some bath seats and rings. These are simple bathing aids that can help prevent drowning.
As for slips and falls, you can invest in those no-slip strips and put them in the bottom of your tub. You can also install a cushion cover on your water faucets so that your kid won’t get hurt should he bump his head against them.
Also, make it a habit to close the toilet lid and to lock it after use. The most curious toddlers could easily lose their balance in fall into the bowl and drown.
It is also a basic safety tip to keep the medicines in cabinets that are way within a child’s reach. Should the inevitable happen, then just make sure then that the medicine bottles come with child-resistant caps.
As for electrical appliances in the bathroom such as a hair dryer or razors, just be sure to unplug them after each use. There must also be a cabinet where you can place and lock them in so your kids won’t play with them.
You can also ask the help of an electrician to install ground-fault circuit interrupters. These are wall sockets could decrease the occurrence of an electrical injury when the appliance accidentally falls to the bathtub or the sink.
A Low Mirror
Kids are not that tall so a low mirror can help daily tasks become easier. He can, on his own, brush his teeth, comb his hair, and even wash and dry all by himself. You can, of course, stay close by just to supervise but not to meddle.
This small piece of furnishing should teach independence to your little one.
A Low Cabinet
Just as kids need a lower mirror, they must also have access to a lower cabinet. The cabinet that contains the razor and all those dangerous stuff should be placed at a higher level.
There are now many wall cabinets that are just right for your kids’ bathing needs.
This same cabinet could also hold their bath toys. If not, there are vanity drawers that can become the storage bins for these toys. Be sure to have a waterproof container for the wet toys.
Temperature Control
It is also important to have controls for the water temperature. If you have been thinking of replacing the hot water unit, then have one that comes with instant gas unit that has thermostat controls. This should give your kids the right water temperature each and every time (even when the lever is turned on full).
Towel Rail
Kids have a way of grabbing stuff that they can reach. Put the rails out of your kids’ reach but not so high that they can no longer reach the towel. The parents will have to be the ones to put the towel back to the rail after the kids’ bath – which is what they have been doing anyway since time immemorial.
These are just some of the safety guidelines for kiddie bathrooms. There are many more products and guidelines on the Internet. Read about them and consider how you can incorporate them in your own home.