Summer Series: Tips for Bath Time Safety

To wrap up our three-part Summer Series on water safety, we are dipping into tips to keep your little one protected during bath time. The first few baths for your newborn can be daunting, but before you know it, you’ll be in the splash zone with a toddler and dodging all sorts of potential hazards. These reminders for bath time will build your confidence and help to keep your baby safe and happy. 

Prepare Ahead of Time

Before you are ready to give your child a bath, gather everything you will need and place it within reach of the bath. Babies and toddlers should never be left unattended in the bath or near a tub of water, even just for a second. You may want to gather towels, washcloths, shampoo, baby soap and a cup or hair washing pitcher like this one. We like to keep at least the clean diaper right there in the bathroom, to avoid any post-bath potty accidents on the clean towel. Carry your little one in a dry towel to the changing table or a safe spot to get them dressed, once they are dry and diapered. 

Stay Focused on Your Baby

Be sure to keep your eyes on the baby the entire time the tub is filling with water, they are bathing and until the tub is drained. Try to avoid taking calls, getting distracted by your phone or multitasking. If you do need to leave the room, wrap the baby in a towel and take them with you. These reminders are not only for safety, but also to let bath time be a time for bonding. We bond with our babies through caregiving tasks like baths, diaper changing and dressing. Bath toys can be fun and a great distraction for little ones who don’t love to bathe. Take this time to connect, sing songs, and play while your little one is alert and engaged. 

Prevent Accidents

Children can drown in as little as 1 inch of water- they only need as much water as it would take to cover their little nose and mouth. Stay attentive, support their head if your baby is still small and be diligent with water temperature. The water should be comfortably warm, but not hot. You can test the temperature on your elbow or inner forearm and if the baby is in the tub while the water is running, always turn off the hot tap first, then the cold. We like to line baby bathtubs or bath supports with a wet towel to prevent the baby from slipping down. You can even lightly swaddle their arms as newborns to keep their startle reflex from making them jump and slip. Stay with babies and older children until the tub has fully drained and consider buying safeguards like this faucet cover to prevent accidental burns, drowning or injuries. 

What other tips would you add to keep bath time safe and fun?

Summer Series: Tips for Pool Safety

The long weeks of Spring rain have left the area and we’re back to normal sunny days in North Texas. As we head back to the pool, days on Lake Lewisville or beach vacations, it’s a good time to refresh your ideas of water safety for your family. This will start our three-part Summer series on water safety, where we will cover safety for the pool, open water and bathtime. These are some of the best tips for pool safety and children:

Lifeguards and Water-Watchers

A common misconception is that more adults means children are safer, when the opposite is true. The more adults present, the more likely everyone is to assume someone else is watching the water.

The best option is to have a lifeguard on-duty, but if there isn’t one available, designate a water-watcher who is an adult who can swim themself. Whether it’s an inflatable kids pool in the backyard or the neighborhood swimming pool, there should always be an adult watching the water and children while they play. Drowning is often silent and can happen in an instant, so assign an adult for 15 minutes who won’t take their eyes off the pool, then switch adults so everyone has time to relax. Set an alarm or grab a wrist band to hand off and take turns watching the water.

Floaties and Swimming Lessons

Water wings, puddle jumpers and pool floats are not a substitute for swimming lessons and teaching water safety. Our little ones don’t have the impulse control to avoid jumping in one last time when they don’t want to leave the pool, even if you have taken their puddle jumper off and are packing your bags. 1-4 year olds are the most at risk for drowning, so stay within arm’s reach and as soon as it’s age appropriate (usually around age 4), enroll your child in swimming lessons. Even after they are a solid swimmer, still keep watching them closely in the water. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends approved personal flotation devices (not floaties or water wings) for everyone on open bodies of water, regardless of swim skills. Remember, anything that floats and is filled with air is a toy, not a life-saving device. 

Safest Swimsuit Colors

Some colors of swimsuits are easier to spot in the water, especially if a child is in danger at the bottom of the pool. If the water is moving or agitated, they can be even harder to see, especially in colors like white, black, blue or gray. When shopping for swimsuits for kids, take it back to the 80’s and try to find bright colors like neon orange, lime green or hot pink. 

When you hit the pool this Summer, talk to your kids about pool safety and remember the rules for swimming. Texas leads the country in child pool drownings and that’s not a title we want to keep. Lifeguard your little ones and stay vigilant. We’ll be back next week with safety tips for lakes, oceans and open bodies of water. For homeowner pool safety, follow this link to get ideas from the experts at Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth.