When a child is present in your home, even the most tedious and mundane areas of the house can become areas to consider in terms of their safety and child-proofing. The bathroom is certainly one of these areas, as it can often contain certain household products or have slippery surfaces.
If you’re in the midst of trying to childproof your bathroom, there are a few fast fixes that can be made. In this article, we share the essential tips to childproof your bathroom so you can protect your children and maintain peace of mind.
Why childproof your bathroom?
Without proper care accidents can happen. A bathroom that has been carefully childproofed can go a long way in avoiding any accidents that might happen, such as slipping on a wet floor. Beginning with the obvious hazards, such as water areas, is a good place to start. So, once your baby is on the move, it’s time to consider these top tips to childproof your bathroom:
1. Prevent accidents with entrances and exits
Think of all the entry and exit points in your bathroom and safeguard them. This could include the door to the bathroom and the windows.
It’s worthwhile putting a childproof lock on the door to keep your children out of the bathroom when you don’t want them in there. A bonus tip to be aware of is to put a lock on both the inner and outer knobs to prevent you from getting locked out of your bathroom.
2. Lock the cabinets up
It doesn’t matter whether your cabinets are low on the ground or high above the sink; they all need locking up.
Cabinets are usually where cleaning and beauty products are stored, both of which contain chemicals that can cause harm when used incorrectly. Keep interested hands away by safeguarding with a child lock.
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3. Protect against electrical hazards
Whether it’s your curlers or an electric razor, whatever you plug into the bathroom outlet needs to be kept away from water and always put away when finished with.
Also, putting covers on all electrical outlets will help childproof your bathroom and stop children from putting their fingers inside.
4. Make bath time safe and fun
Bath time is an enjoyable part of a child’s day-to-day routine. It’s important to make bath time safe so it’s a fun experience for all involved.
Here are a few areas to keep in mind that will go a long way in childproofing your bath time:
- Use slip-resistant mats: Prevent falls in the wet tub or on the damp bathroom floor by using slip-resistant mats.
- Check the water temperature: Set the temperature of your house water to a maximum of 49 degrees Celsius to prevent scalding. If you’re unsure of water temperature, why not buy a thermometer for peace of mind?
- Use a bath seat: A bath seat can help keep your child secure and in one position while in the bath. This also helps to make the process of washing your baby easier.
- Always be on standby: Never leave your baby in the bath alone and teach him or her to stay seated while in the bathtub.
- Install grab bars: Grab bars can help to avoid any slipping-related accidents when getting in and out of the bathtub.
- Pad your bathtub tap: Taps are the perfect height for children to bump their heads or backs on while in the bath. Installing a safety tap or buying padding to go around it can prevent these accidents from occurring.
5. Take the rubbish out
A bin can be an entertainment magnet for small children and can easily be forgotten about. As such, make sure to empty this so that the area doesn’t get messy!
6. Use a training toilet
If your child is toilet training, it’s important to use a training potty that’s appropriate for their age and size. A small child won’t be able to use the loo yet, so having a training toilet makes this process much easier and simpler in the long run.
7. Keep on top of mould and mildew
It’s in children’s nature to splash around when in the bath, but this can result in the bathroom getting wet and damp in places. All the water accumulation can cause mould and mildew to occur, not only making your bathroom more prone to bacteria but also more slippery too.
Clean your bathroom on a regular basis with child-friendly cleaners, and be sure to check under mats, in cupboards and even on safe bath toys. Toys and sponges that absorb water can accumulate mould if they aren’t drained and dried properly after each use.
8. Consider installing safety glass
If you have a glass shower door, it could be worthwhile replacing it with safety glass. This could give you peace of mind for years to come, as it’ll ensure the glass doesn’t potentially crack, which it can happen after a long time of use.
Making your bathroom safe
As you can see, there are some areas you should consider proofing when it comes to bathrooms. If you really want to get serious about improving your bathroom, for those young or old, it may be worth investing in a walk-in shower or a walk-in bath.
These products are designed with safety in mind to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience is second nature every time it comes to using the bathroom.