Simenc says, "First and foremost, never, ever leave a child unattended in a tub, even if an older sibling is bathing with the child. There have been multiple incidents where infants or toddlers were left alone or with an older sibling and have drowned after an adult left them alone for just a few minutes. That's the highest likelihood and highest frequency of serious accidents or deaths that can occur in the bathroom."
Constant supervision is necessary for any young child that is in a bathtub of water. Some safety devices you may want to use include a drain cover and a spout cover. These may help reduce the risk of injuries from these parts of your tub. Children may also receive scalds or burns from hot water from a faucet or in a bathtub. Always test the water temperature before placing a child in the bathtub or shower. It is a good idea to set your water heater thermostat at 120 degrees or less to reduce the chance of burn incidents. Non-slip mats in the tub or shower area may prevent falls and all bathroom rugs should have non-slip backings as well. Keep all electrical appliances like hair dryers away from the tub or other water source so electrocution does to occur if the item were to fall into the water. Always empty water from a sink or tub when you are finished using it.
Another water hazard for young children is the toilet. Simenc says, "Preventing the child from having access to the toilet is also appropriate. Toddlers can fall upside-down and perhaps drown in the toilet, but it's also just good hygiene to prevent a child from playing in the toilet water." Never let or encourage a child to place objects into the toilet and do not allow a child have contact with the water inside it. Toilet seat locks are available for an affordable price and are fairly easy to install and use. Again these are not a substitute for watching your children, but do serve as a reasonable deterrent. It is a good idea to keep the bathroom door closed even when the bathroom is not in use as this will again deter a child from wanting to go in there when you aren't looking. Door knob covers can help make it harder for the child to gain access to the bathroom if shutting the door is not enough.
Simenc notes that adults should "make sure that all hazardous contents are either removed, placed out of reach, or latched securely in a cabinet". This includes cleaning solutions, cosmetics, toiletries, toothpastes, and even jewelry. Perfumes, soaps, and lotions may be pleasant to look at or smell, but may be dangerous if consumed.
Medicine bottles should have childproof lids and be kept out of the reach of little hands. Razors, scissors, and other sharp objects may present serious risks for injury so they are best kept in a locked drawer or cabinet. Soaps, shampoos, mouthwash, and other cosmetic products should not be accessible to children who may consume them or have a skin reaction to them. This also applies to chemicals, cleaners, air fresheners, drain cleaners, and other poisonous materials. There are a variety of cabinet locks available at reasonable prices and they are fairly easy to use when installed properly. It is a good idea to have on hand a bottle of ipecac syrup in the event that your physician or poison control center suggest you administer it to a child who has ingested something that may be harmful.
As a final note, Simenc adds, "One thing folks often overlook is the plastic liner in the wastebasket. Children can suffocate on those. It's best to keep the wastebasket in a latched cabinet as well, because of the contents that a resident or guest may inadvertently drop in the trash."
Many of these suggestions may be considered simple or common sense reminders, but they are all good ways of preventing accidents from happening in your home. Make sure you keep a first aid kit in a safe place and replace items that are used from it so you will be prepared in an emergency. By simply making note of the risk factors and taking precautionary actions against them you will help to make your home a safer environment.
