splish, splash- stay safe in the bath! 

Bath-time is such an important routine for families that many often forget that this fun, important, almost daily ritual poses some real risks to young children.  Many times, these unintentional injuries happen in the blink of an eye – and they can happen to anyone!  

Did you know? 

• Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages one to four 

• Young children can drown in less than one inch of water  

• Drowning can happen in less than one minute 

• When a person drowns, they cannot make any sound!  You won’t hear your child if they are drowning.   

So what can you do to prevent drowning?  

“Supervision is key while young children are in the bath. Give your child your full attention- put any distractions down- while bathing your child,” says Abbey Pettiford, injury prevention coordinator.  

Here are a few reminders to keep children safe in the bath: 

1. Before you turn on the water and put your infant or young child in the tub, make sure you have everything that you need right next to you. This includes towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo and any extras like toys or cups for rinsing or playing.    

2. Take the bath water’s temperature before you put your child in the tub. A child’s skin is thinner than an adult’s skin and can burn much faster in scalding water. Use a thermometer to ensure the bath water is not too hot.   

3. Turn off your cell phone or tablet. A child in a bathtub requires constant attention. Your cell phone and other devices can wait!  

4. Ignore the front door. Keep your constant attention on your child, even if the doorbell rings. 

5. Enjoy the time. Bath time is a great bonding time for parents and kids. Show them your undivided attention – they will appreciate it!  

6. If you have an infant, a baby bathtub is a good idea. The angle of the tub will help free your hands so that you can wash your baby.   

Pettiford says, “there are other sources of water around the house, toilets, buckets, outdoor pools and more pose drowning risks young children.  Be mindful of young children around these other sources of water.” 

Learn more about bath and water safety here: Water Safety | Dayton Children's (childrensdayton.org)