Bathroom suites are havens for relaxation in the household. Especially modern bathroom, with fancy freestanding baths, large vanity units and luxurious shower cabins.  Making them more of a home spa retreat that merely wash and brush your teeth.

However, if not kept in check, it can also be a dangerous area that can cause mishaps especially for young children. This guide aims to offer some tips for the average homeowner on how to keep the bathroom enjoyable and child safe at the same time.

Identify Potential Hazards

The first thing you need to do is to identify the potential risks in the bathroom. Bathrooms come with many commonly associated risks but each household will also have its own unique and individual risks. These will depend on the bathroom’s design considerations, fixtures, bathroom furniture placement and overall layout.

Due to these common and unique risks, it helps to make a list of all the things that could potentially endanger the user at any time. Detergent, lotion, medication and the like should be kept out of reach. As much as possible, keep them in locations that you can secure via lock and key. Medication should always be labeled so that they are easily identified.

Doing this makes it easy to find remedies should they get their hands on some and ingest it. You might also consider removing medicine and cleaning liquids from the bathroom altogether. Even if you put them in high shelves or behind the medicine cabinet, children are still likely to get a hold of them by using the existing furniture in the bathroom.

This also brings about another risk, moving furniture. Chairs, tables, counters and the like that can be moved are all potential hazards. As your child might use them to climb or simply play with them, they also pose a threat and should be eyed carefully. Securing them to the ground is a good idea but if it is not doable, better to keep them out of reach while children are in the bathroom.

Be Vigilant

Drowning is the biggest and most obvious risk in the bathroom. That’s why infants and toddlers should never be left unattended especially when deep water is involved. On a similar note, refrain from leaving them in the care of siblings too. Depending on their relationship with one another, they might play amiably with one another or tear each other to shreds. Either way, that can lead to things getting out of hand rather quickly.

The safest route is to stay with them until they are at an age where they can take care of themselves and fully understand the various bathroom hazards. If you have to leave the room for some urgent matters, leave them in the care of a trustworthy and preferably adult family member.

Educate Them

While you are watching over them, take the time to discuss with them the different bathroom hazards and explain why each is dangerous. Detail as to what will happen when they disobey and how sad the family will be if mishaps will occur. You can further augment their learning by role playing. For example, you could simulate tapping the hot water tap and emphasizing, “Hot!” Doing this repeatedly and by employing bathroom games helps them grasp the concept quicker too.

If you decide to remodel your bathroom so its safer this post might give some pointers where to start.