Bathrooms are a place of ultimate relaxation for adults. The place where you chill out and take it easy in the tub or enjoy a long, luxuriously warm shower. But the day you start having children and they grow to be young toddlers, things can change a lot.
Your bathroom can easily become a danger zone for small kids if you’re not pro-active about safety measures, but there are some practical things you can do to ensure everyone waist high and below avoids hazards. In this short guide, we’re going to go through some of the most common danger zones in the bathroom and offer some simple solutions for your peace of mind.
Showers & Baths
The bath or shower is built to offer little resistance to water and that can make the surfaces a little slippery. Adults have an easier time catching their balance but for a child it only takes a small slip or a fall to have a serious and dangerous impact. Any child who is unstable on their feet could suffer a nasty bang to the head. Additionally, whenever there is water around, accidental drowning is a very real threat that needs to be addressed – even with small water levels of just an inch. A slip could result in a little one becoming unconscious and lying in water. To prevent slipping, always use slip pads, both in the shower, tub, and floor if you have toddlers.
Bathroom Furniture
The bathroom can have several sharp furniture corners, which at the very least could cause your child an injury from a head bang or a lot of pain if they slip and hit any part of their body. It’s a good idea to get some protective padding around these sharp corners – such as on the vanity, cabinets, shelves, etc. Anything made of foam will suffice, or look for specially made edge and corner guards to keep your kids from having accidents.
Clutter
If your bathroom clutter is something of a problem, it might be time to develop new habits. The bathroom is full of unsafe items, such as electrical razors, hair dryers, medicines, and cleaning products that are colored in such a way they look drinkable to small kids. It’s a good idea to invest in some cupboard space well above their height, and also some child locks that prevent inquisitive minds from opening doors and getting their hands on things they shouldn’t. At the very least, take inventory of everything in your bathroom that is arm’s reach from your child and imagine what could happen if they were to get a hold of it. It’s not a fun mental exercise but it’s extremely effective for knowing what precautions need to be taken.
Mold & Mildew
Because of the dampness and humidity in your bathroom, mold and mildew can grow like wildfire, especially if you live close to the San Francisco Bay or the ocean. It’s essential that you watch out for signs of this growth more regularly than you would in a child-free household. Young lungs are susceptible to catching infections from the mold and mildew spores that float around in your bathroom’s atmosphere and it can create breathing difficulties, among other conditions, some of which can be permanent.
Be Aware
Finally, no matter how well you set up your bathroom to be child proof, the reality is that you cannot be too careful. Kids will explore almost everywhere but it’s essential that you keep them out of the bathroom when unattended as much as possible. Keeping the door locked might seem a little extreme for the adults in the house but it is a preventive measure that will help keep the little ones safe.
