National Bath Safety Month - January 2023
This is the ultimate guide to keeping your kids safe while bathing.
What you'll learn:
Let's dive in.
What you'll learn:
- bath drownings statistic
- risk factors
- preventative tips
Let's dive in.
By Maria Rezhylo
3x World record holder in swimming & swim school owner
Jan. 8, 2023
Jan. 8, 2023
CHAPTER 1
Bath Drownings Statistic
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death for children in the United States.
While every parent and caregiver knows the risks of swimming pools, many forget there's a risk inside the house - bathtubs.
Bathtubs are a common location for drowning accidents involving young children. In fact, it's the second cause of child drownings after swimming pools.
While every parent and caregiver knows the risks of swimming pools, many forget there's a risk inside the house - bathtubs.
Bathtubs are a common location for drowning accidents involving young children. In fact, it's the second cause of child drownings after swimming pools.
Kids under 5 years and bath drownings
Kids under 5 years account for 0.8% of the US population. Yet, this age group makes up 30% of the drowning statistic in the bathtub. [1]
At-home drownings are responsible for up to 2/3 of the total drowning statistic among children.
This includes 87 fatalities and 233 injuries related to the bathtubs.
At-home drownings are responsible for up to 2/3 of the total drowning statistic among children.
This includes 87 fatalities and 233 injuries related to the bathtubs.
Infants under 1 year account for 80% of bath drownings
According to the drowning statistic in bathtubs, infants are among the most vulnerable age group. [1] In fact, infants under 1 year make up the majority of the sobering statistic.
Due to the inability to move, insufficient muscle strength to lift their head, or lack of communication skills, infants are at a higher risk of drowning in even a small amount of water.
Due to the inability to move, insufficient muscle strength to lift their head, or lack of communication skills, infants are at a higher risk of drowning in even a small amount of water.
Annual bath-tub injuries in numbers
Every year, almost 43,000 children across the US receive emergency treatment due to injury in the bathroom. [3]
While the majority 71% of injuries are associated with the bathtub, it's not the only threat.
The common causes of injuries are slips, trips, and falls in bathtubs, showers, or wet bathroom floors. [4]
While the majority 71% of injuries are associated with the bathtub, it's not the only threat.
The common causes of injuries are slips, trips, and falls in bathtubs, showers, or wet bathroom floors. [4]
Kids' bodily injuries in bath
The face is the most frequently injured body part due to incidents in the bath (48.0%). The following leading injured area is the head/neck (15.0%). [5]
The most common diagnosis is a laceration, the deep cut or tear of tissues, followed by strain or sprain, fracture, and contusions.
The most common diagnosis is a laceration, the deep cut or tear of tissues, followed by strain or sprain, fracture, and contusions.
CHAPTER 2
Bath Drownings and Injury Prevention
Bath drownings and injuries are a major concern for parents and caregivers. Not only it poses a danger to kids' health, but it can also lead to unexpected long-term medical bills.
To prevent these accidents from occurring, it is essential to follow proper safety guidelines and take necessary precautions.
Following our simple guidelines, parents will get one step closer to ensuring their children are safe and protected while in the bath.
To prevent these accidents from occurring, it is essential to follow proper safety guidelines and take necessary precautions.
Following our simple guidelines, parents will get one step closer to ensuring their children are safe and protected while in the bath.
1. Never leave a child alone in the bathtub
Children can drown in as little as 2 inches of water. Leaving a child alone in the bathtub can lead to a tragic accident.
The common statement from parents after an accident in the bath is, “but I was only gone for a moment.”
Remember, sometimes it takes just a few seconds for your child to drown or get injured.
The common statement from parents after an accident in the bath is, “but I was only gone for a moment.”
Remember, sometimes it takes just a few seconds for your child to drown or get injured.
2. Never leave younger children under the supervision of another child
Leaving a younger child under the supervision of an older child.
Children don't have the same sense of maturity, judgment, and responsibility as adults. Additionally, children don't have the necessary skills, knowledge, and physical strength to handle emergencies.
Children don't have the same sense of maturity, judgment, and responsibility as adults. Additionally, children don't have the necessary skills, knowledge, and physical strength to handle emergencies.
3. Keep kids within arm reach while in bath
It is important to be able to intervene quickly if a child starts to struggle or slip under the water.
Therefore, adults should keep kids within arm reach to quickly provide help if an emergency occurs.
Therefore, adults should keep kids within arm reach to quickly provide help if an emergency occurs.
4. Don't leave a bucket with water unattended
Even if a bucket is not filled to the top, a child could fall headfirst and be unable to get out or scream for help.
Keep in mind it only takes a few inches for kids to drown.
Keep in mind it only takes a few inches for kids to drown.
5. Consider installing bath safety bars
Children are at a high risk of falling in the bathroom because of the slippery surfaces and the presence of water.
Bath safety bars provide a secure grip for children to hold onto while in the bath or shower, which can help prevent slips and falls.
Bath safety bars provide a secure grip for children to hold onto while in the bath or shower, which can help prevent slips and falls.
6. If your shower has a glass door, ensure it's shatterproof
Glass doors can shatter with enough force, and your kid's weight may be enough for it. That can lead to sharp shards of glass flying around the bathroom.
Children can get cut or injured by these shards of glass. The risk is especially high if a child falls into the shower and breaks the glass door.
Children can get cut or injured by these shards of glass. The risk is especially high if a child falls into the shower and breaks the glass door.
7. Use slip-resistant mats inside and outside of the shower
As I said, the bathroom is usually a slippery environment. Children are at a higher risk of falling in the bath due to the lack of muscle strength, coordination and balance.
Use slip-resistant mats inside and out of the bath or shower to prevent falls and injuries.
Use slip-resistant mats inside and out of the bath or shower to prevent falls and injuries.
8. Don't use a baby bath seat
Bath seats give parents a wrong feeling of safety. Children can fall out of the seats, slide sideways into the water, and become submerged.
9. Learn Child and Baby CPR
Learning child and baby CPR can be an essential skill for a medical emergency involving a child.
Baby CPR is different from regular CPR in several ways. The main distinctions are the methods used to perform CPR, the amount of pressure applied, and the rate at which compressions are given.
Thus, learning baby-specific CPR is n essential skill for parents and caregivers.
Baby CPR is different from regular CPR in several ways. The main distinctions are the methods used to perform CPR, the amount of pressure applied, and the rate at which compressions are given.
Thus, learning baby-specific CPR is n essential skill for parents and caregivers.
Conslusion
I hope you enjoyed the guide we provided on National Bath Safety Month. I gathered all the current data available in 2023.
Now I'd like to hear from you: What preventative strategies do you use with your kids while bathing?
Have you installed bath safety bars?
Do you know Child and Baby CPR?
Let me know in the comments below!
Now I'd like to hear from you: What preventative strategies do you use with your kids while bathing?
Have you installed bath safety bars?
Do you know Child and Baby CPR?
Let me know in the comments below!
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