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The Children's Bathroom Health & Safety Guide

All parents have the responsibility of teaching their children bathroom skills. First, young children are taught how to use the toilet and properly wash their hands. Soon thereafter, they learn how to brush their teeth. Parents must also teach young children how to bathe themselves, as well as wash their own hair. Later on, a father may show his teenage son how to shave his face. With all of these skills, parents must also teach their children how to stay safe while using the bathroom. It's never too soon to begin teaching kids about how to stay safe in the bathroom.

Infants and Toddlers

Until a baby becomes mobile parents have a good amount of control over keeping them safe in the bathroom. Parents should learn how to bathe their infant properly to prevent injury and promote healthy living and safety. Monitoring the temperature of the bath water and having a towel at hand to dry the baby right away are just a couple important points for parents to remember. As an infant grows into an active toddler, additional bathroom safety practices are needed.

Put a lock on the toilet seat to prevent a toddler from opening the lid and falling in.
Never leave a toddler alone in the bathtub.
Remove any cleaning products from bathroom cabinets or low shelves.
Do not put any medications within the reach of a toddler. A locked cabinet is a wise idea for medications.
Place non-skid decals in the bathtub to keep a kid from slipping.
Find some interesting bath toys to keep a toddler occupied in the bathtub. Bath time is safer if the child is not continually trying to stand up and sit down in the bathtub.
Prevent the toddler from touching the faucet so he or she will not turn on the hot water.
Be sure to empty the bathtub of water immediately after a bath.
Do not leave bathroom appliances such as curling irons and blow dryers plugged in.
Clean all splashed water from the floor immediately so a toddler has less opportunity to slip and fall.
Do not allow a toddler in the bathroom without an adult present.
Do not leave an older child in charge of a toddler who is in the bathtub.

Elementary School Aged Children

By the time a child is in elementary school, they are typically aware of how to stay safe in the bathroom. With adequate supervision, many elementary school students are able to bathe themselves. They should also know to keep electrical appliances away from water. In addition, they should be in the habit of washing their hands after each visit to the bathroom. The following are some more bathroom safety tips for elementary school aged children.

Due to wet floors, a child should never run in a bathroom.
A child should not have a radio or other electrical appliance near water.
A child should not have access to medications.
An elementary school aged child should not be allowed to bathe without some parental supervision.
A parent should check the temperature of bathwater before an elementary school aged child begins a bath.
It's a good idea for a child to have a grab bar to hold onto as he or she is entering and leaving the bathtub.
Parents should place a non-skid bathmat on the floor for use by kids and adults alike.
Non-slip decals should be put in the bathtub to prevent a child from slipping.
As a general rule, no child under the age of eight should be allowed to take a bath without parental supervision. As always, it's a parent's responsibility to provide adequate supervision of children.

Teenagers

When a child reaches their teenage years, he or she should know about and practice bathroom safety. Teenagers have some new responsibilities when it comes to hygiene care. For example, some boys begin to shave when they are fifteen or sixteen. They need to be taught the proper way to shave as well as what to do if they cut themselves. For instance, the boy needs to be taught to use a sharp razor that is clean and easy to handle. If a cut does occur, the teen needs to apply pressure with a tissue until the bleeding stops. Alternatively, teenage girls begin to shave their legs and must be taught how to accomplish that in a safe way. The girl needs to be told how to choose the proper razor as well as learn about shaving techniques. Proper use and disposal of feminine hygiene products is also critical. Keeping one’s self clean is very important to prevent good health, and even to avoid infection. With the bodily changes that occur during puberty, teenagers need to be aware of good hygiene. Though all teenagers should be well versed on the rules of bathroom safety, some need occasional parental reminders.

Bathroom safety rules are important for children of all ages. Furthermore, parents who practice safe bathroom habits serve as models for their children, no matter what their age. Parents that follow proper bathroom health and safety will help to reinforce those same habits in their children. With just a few simple precautions, a bathroom can be a safe place for children and adults alike.

For more information on bathroom health and safety for children, please visit:

Tips on Bathing an Infant: Read several important tips to remember when bathing a baby along with other baby care information.
Information on Poison Prevention: Peruse a list of tips for poison prevention in the bathroom as well as in other areas of the home.
Safety Tips for the Bathroom: Learn several tips to help kids and others stay safe in the bathroom.
Bathroom Safety for Children: (PDF) Find a list of bathroom safety tips organized into categories that relate to drowning, poisonings, and other topics.
Bathtub Drowning Prevention Information: Discover important information that helps parents of young children learn how to prevent bathtub drowning.

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