Children are a blessing. They bring joy, love, and meaning. They also bring responsibility. As a parent, you’re responsible for the care, well-being, and development of your child, particularly their physical well-being. While this can be a daunting task, it still needs to be done and a good place to start is making sure that every part of your home is a safe environment for your child physically.
Your bathroom, for example, can be a dangerous place for a child. So besides thinking about the right bathtub stopper to buy or the best baby shampoo, here are some tips to consider when childproofing your bathroom.
Slippery Surfaces
Slipperiness is a major hazard to consider, as bathrooms are often wet and slick surfaces mean falls and injuries. Your child’s excited trip to the bathroom for bath time can turn into a trip to the emergency room very quickly.
Here are some tips for child-proofing your bathroom with slipperiness in mind:
- Place non-slip mats or stickers in front of your bathtub and shower
- Keep the floor dry as much as possible with absorbents like a large towel, bath mat, squeegee, or even with a large fan
- Apply anti-slip coatings to the bathtub or shower floor. They are available in spray-on or roll-on forms
- Use non-slip bath gloves for a better grip
- For younger children who may not be able to stand or sit up independently, consider using a shower chair or bath seat
Cleaning Products
Next, consider your cleaning products. Cleaning products, such as bleach, disinfectants, and drain cleaners, typically contain chemicals that cause serious harm if ingested, inhaled, or even touched by young children.
Here are some tips for child-proofing your bathroom with cleaning products in mind:
- Purchase a locking cabinet or install a child safety lock on the bathroom cabinet with all the cleaning products inside
- Store cleaning products in their original containers with the labels intact and facing forward so you can quickly identify the contents of any bottle and its proper use
- Consider using child-safe cleaning products that are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and free from harsh chemicals such as Castile soap, lemon juice, or vinegar
Sharp Objects
Sharp objects can be a real hazard for kids in the bathroom. The average bathroom contains a variety of sharp objects – razors, scissors, tweezers, nail clippers, broken glass, etc that can really injure a child.
Here are some tips for child-proofing your bathroom with sharp objects in mind:
- Store all sharp objects in a high cabinet or drawer out of reach of young children
- Install child-proof locks on cabinets or drawers that contain sharp objects as an additional measure to deter curious children who can climb
- After use, dispose of sharp objects properly using sharps containers as they are designed specifically for this. Or, you can wrap sharp objects in several layers of thick paper or cardboard, such as a toilet paper roll or cereal box
Remember, childproofing is not a one-time event. As your child grows and develops, new hazards may arise, so besides childproofing against slippery services, cleaning products, and sharp objects, you want to regularly reassess your childproofing measures and make any necessary adjustments.
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