Toddlers will find adventure within every corner of the house, and the bathroom is no exception, so yes, folks, it’s time to baby-proof your bathroom!
Why Baby-proof Your Bathroom?
Bathrooms can be slippery and full of hidden dangers. A great baby-proofing tip is to get down to your child's level and look around for potential hazards within their reach. This way, you can spot dangerous objects and risky areas that you might not notice from an adult's perspective.
Main Things to Keep Your Baby Away From
Toilet
Thankfully, toilet drowning accidents are pretty rare, but they have happened. Always keep the toilet lid closed, and if you have a super curious explorer, consider using a toilet lock.
Toiletries, cleaning products and medications
Bathrooms can be full of toiletries, cleaning products, and various lotions and potions. The cabinets under the bathroom sink might even be stocked with medicines. To keep your little ones safe, clean out all these easily accessible items, lock your cabinets, or install a high shelf to keep everything out of reach. This also applies to razors and scissors that are typically stored in the bathroom.
Electrical Appliances
Keep hair dryers, shavers and other electrical devices unplugged and stored safely away from the bathroom.
Slippery Surfaces
Bathtime with toddlers can be wild, so be mindful that surfaces and floors will bear the brunt.
Top Tips for Babyproofing Your Bathroom
Non-slip mats
Use non-slip bath mats with suction cups to give your little one stability in the tub, minimising slips and slides. Don't forget to place bath mats on the bathroom floor for wet feet to stand on, and have plenty of towels on hand to mop up the water that splashes out.
Bath Seat/Baby Bath Support
Invest in a mesh bath support with sturdy, safe sides for your newborn, and then transition to a baby bath seat to support your little one (usually from 6 months) during bathtime.
Plug Socket Covers
These aren’t usually a problem in bathrooms, but it’s always good to double-check, including the areas around the bathroom. Shaver sockets are typically out of reach, but if they aren’t, consider investing in a cover to seal off the outlet.
Bath Thermometer
The ideal bath temperature for babies and children is around 37- 39°c. If you don’t have a bath thermometer, you can always check the bath temperature with your wrist or elbow. Mix the water well so there are no hot patches.
Door Blocks/Slam Stoppers
Protect their little fingers and keep them away from cleaning products and toiletries with door blocks and slam stoppers. Fred Safety is your first port of call for all these handy nik-naks.
Soft-Close Toilet Seat
Swap your toilet seat for one with a soft-close feature to prevent little fingers from getting pinched.
Remove Small Items
Keep small items like hair accessories, cotton balls and buds out of reach to prevent choking hazards.
Organise Bath Toys
Use a mesh bag or organiser/caddy to store bath toys safely after use.
Supervision
According to the NHS, babies and children can drown in as little as 5cm (2 inches) of water. Drowning is one of the commonest causes of child death, and it’s often silent, so you might not even hear it happening. It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: never leave them unattended!