For most children, bath time is an exciting adventure with warm water, suds and their favorite rubber ducky (of course!). Families can keep bath time a fun memory with easy-to-remember tips from ISR Certified Instructors.
Supervise children at all times. Parents are sometimes tempted to leave children alone in the bathtub while taking a call or folding laundry. Don’t let your busy schedule keep you from supervising your children while they are around the water. Even while you wait for the bathtub to fill up, it is important to keep an eye on children at all times. ISR Certified Instructors often remind parents that bath time is a great opportunity to create memories with children, so instead of thinking of it as one more task before bedtime think about ways to make bath time a fun experience for both you and the kids. Use soap to create funny hairstyles, or help children imagine fun adventures with their rubber ducky.
Take care in choosing bath toys. Some bath toys have small parts that can become a choking hazard. Parents also want to take care to save bath toys only for bath time. Put bath toys away in an area where children cannot reach them after bath time. This will keep children from being tempted to play in the bathtub when they are not under your supervision.
Check the water temperature. ISR Certified Instructors recommend parents use a water thermometer to check the bathtub temperature. What might feel like a nice, relaxing bath for you can actually burn a child’s sensitive skin.
Carry a portable phone. Parents should always have a portable phone accessible near the water. During an emergency, it is vital to call for help as soon as possible. However, remember that you should not make or take any calls during bath time. Even if you are sitting next to you child, talking on the phone can be a dangerous distraction near the water.
For more information about bathtub safety, read our Family Aquatic Safety Checklist.
