7 possible risks that babies and children have in a bathroom

The restlessness of a child and the lack of provisions in bathrooms lead to domestic accidents. Learn how to avoid these accidents.

The risks of children in a bathroom drag, among other consequences, injuries, slips, burns, intoxication and drowning. The Spanish Association of Pediatrics mentions bathrooms as one of the potentially dangerous places in the house where unintentional injuries occur.

In its prevention guide for parents, the institution indicates that this type of accident constitutes, in the European Union, the leading cause of death in children between 5 and 18 years of age. Hence the relevance of adapting these rooms and not neglecting babies or older children, while they bathe or out of curiosity they enter to explore the site.

7 risks of children in a bathroom

You can prevent some of the following domestic bathroom accidents by applying self-protection, safety, education and, above all, adult supervision.

1. Slips

The CNSE Foundation for Overcoming Communication Barriers points out that Missteps in bathroom rooms correspond to the most common accidents at home.

Likewise, the Federation of Association of Consumers and Users of Andalusia (FACUA) says that slips are the leading cause of shower injuries mainly harming children, the elderly and people with disabilities. To prevent them, they suggest:

• Put sticky mats or non-slip patches in wet areas or areas exposed to splashes.
• Keep the ground dry.
• Ventilate the area.
• Install a grab bar on the shower or tub wall.

2. Drowning

Submerging in just 1 or 2 inches of water is enough to drown. A publication of the United States National Library of Medicine states that Most drownings of children under 1 year of age occur in the bathtub and due to lack of vigilance.

Drowning is a quick and silent tragedy. In the case of babies, they do not control their necks and muscles correctly, so if their mouth and nose are covered by a small amount of water, it is impossible for them to breathe. Prevent events by emptying the tub and even lowering the toilet lid after use.

3. Electrocution

Electrocution is one of the risks for children in a bathroom. In his section of insurance, BBVA explains that, in general, in these rooms there are hair dryers, shavers and other devices.

The proximity of appliances to bathtubs full of water or a wet floor could trigger accidents. Never leave appliances plugged in since a barefoot child on a wet floor risks electric shock.

4. Burns

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the water temperature does not exceed 120°F (49°C) for bathing a baby; otherwise, it causes burns.

The correct thing is to regulate the degrees, install a thermometer or test the water with your elbow. Never put your child in the bathtub or under the shower without making sure how hot the jet is. An extra tip is to open the cold water first and, little by little, the hot one.

5. Falls or contact with the toilet

Children in the phase of learning to walk or get up on their own could fall on their heads when approaching the toilet. This is another reason for drowning. Keep in mind that the sound of pulling the lever and the discharge of water make the little one take it as a game. Install latches on the lids of the bowl so they can’t open it.

What’s more, the sink, the sink, the handles and all the pieces of the bathroom accumulate germs. After touching these parts, babies can suffer from dermatological disorders or put their hands in their mouths and later suffer from diarrheal diseases.

6. Wounds

Razors, nail clippers, and scissors are commonly used utensils in bathrooms. Please keep these instruments away from children to free them from injury.

7. Intake of chemicals or medications

Even if you don’t keep cleaning products in the bathroom, other substances pose a danger due to possible ingestion: shampoos, conditioners, medications, lotions, colognes, cosmetics and even capsules that color the water in the bathroom. lavatory.

in his innocence, children are attracted to the smell and color of chemicals, so they venture to try. It prevents accidents of this type by blocking the drawers and the lid of the bowl.

How to avoid risks of children in a bathroom?

Lock the bathroom door It is the best preventive measure against accidents involving children and babies. Also stay with them while they bathe, instead of going in and out to answer calls, look for utensils, check the kitchen, etc.

Similarly, adapting the space favors that bathrooms cease to be the scene of accidents, notes the National Child Safety Association. How?

• Attach a pin to the toilet lid.
• Place a baby seat in the cup. While it helps, without supervision it is not a 100% secure device.
• Secure bathtub covers.
• Empty and store buckets in areas that children cannot reach.
• Have the elements that you will use in the hygiene of the baby at hand, so you do not leave the room to look for them, proposes the Safe Childhood Foundation.

The importance of preparing in case of accidents with children in a bathroom

The risks of children in bathrooms motivate adults to prepare to respond to any contingency. Learning to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is essential. record the number of the emergency service in the telephone contacts and learn from a pediatrician what the first aid is for possible domestic emergencies.

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