Taking a bath can be surprisingly hazardous.
In fact, about 80 children die from bathtub drownings every year nationwide. Keep your family safer at bath time by following these guidelines:
- To reduce the risk of scalding, set your home’s water heater to a maximum of 120 degrees. A safety test: Hold your hand under the tap when the hot water alone is running. Uncomfortable? Your water heater is set too high.
- Keep electrical devices like hair dryers, curling irons and electric razors well away from the tub.
- Never leave a child unattended in the bathtub for any reason. Children can drown in just a few inches of water, and can easily topple into the tub while you’re dashing out to answer the phone or get a towel. Don’t leave an older child in charge of a younger one in the bathroom.
- Get supplies before filling the tub. Collect soap, towel, diaper, clothing and bath toys first. Place them where you can reach them easily.
- Place a soft, insulated cover over the faucet to guard against accidental bath-time burns and bumps. They’re available at stores that sell baby supplies.
- Prevent bathtub slips and falls by placing a rubber mat in the tub or affixing non-slip adhesive decals or strips to the bottom of the tub.
- Teach your child to use extra caution when getting out of the tub. Place a non-slip bathroom rug near the tub to safely secure wet feet.
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