The Doctor is In: Tips for safe baby bath time

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, from 2006 to 2010, there were 684 incidents involving children younger than five-years-old during bath time.

Which means it’s important for parents to think of safety as a top priority.

To talk about how bath time can be fun and safe, Sunrise 7 was joined by Emily Loertscher with Safe Kids Wausau Area led by Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

When asked about common mistakes parents make Loertscher said parents should never allow their kids to stand in the tub. That increases the risk for falling to increase even with non-slip stickers in the bottom of the tub.

In order to avoid standing or any other injuries, the simplest thing to do is make the bathroom inaccessible unless your child is accompanied by an adult.

As a reminder, children can drown in only a few inches of water, so never leave a young child alone in the bath, even for a moment. Healthy Children.org says bath seats and rings are meant to be bathing aids and will not prevent drowning if the child is left unattended. It's also important to have anything and everything you think you'll need within arm's reach before getting down to business.

When bath time is over Loertscher said to immediately drain the tub to prevent drowning and only fill the tub with water up to your child’s hips while they are sitting down.

Another cause of concern is water temperature. The ideal temperature for the water is between 98-100 degrees F.

“Always check the water temperature before you up your child in the water. You can use your wrist or elbow or a water temperature gauge,” said Loertscher.

Gagues are available for sale in most stores as well as the ‘Safe Kids Wausau Area.’

Another piece of advice; do not leave the water running with your child in the tub because the water temperature could change and the water level could get too high

Finally at age five you should promote bathing independence by letting your child wash, dry, and dress themselves. You should still be present during bath time, but actively watch from distance. By age 6 the child should be able to be alone during bath time.

https://www.safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-wausau-area