How to Childproof Your Bathroom
I obtained the following safety tips through conversations with Anne Marie Radel of Safer-Baby and Linette Palmer of Family First. Both are babyproofing professionals in Los Angeles with decades of experience.
Block access to electrical outlets and electrical appliances. As with other rooms, cover up all exposed electrical outlets. Keep appliances like hair dryers as far away from the bathtub as possible; general safety tips become more relevant around curious, accident-prone babies. This drawer cleverly limits access to both the outlet and the hair dryer.
Lock the toilet. Most babies love to play with water, and unfortunately toilet water is no exception. According to Radel, children younger than 2 are top-heavy and can easily topple into the toilet bowl. Meanwhile, older babies love to flush toys down the toilet.
Lower the hot-water temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature setting on your water heater is warm enough for a comfortable bath or shower but cool enough not to scald a child. If you live in an apartment or condo, you can install an antiscalding device that shuts off the water when it hits a certain temperature.
Place bath mats inside and outside the tub. Bath mats help reduce the likelihood of slipping in and around the tub. Find ones that dry quickly, resist mold and are long enough to cover the length of the tub.
Also, prepare all bathing equipment prior to bathing and never leave a child alone in bathtub — even for one minute. Tubs filled with as little as 1 inch of water can present a drowning hazard for babies.
How to Childproof Your Bathroom
How to Childproof Your Bathroom
