Where does the time go? How many times
have you heard this or said it yourself? When we look at our children as
we celebrate another one of their birthdays, we can't help but reflect back
through the years. Do you remember giving your infant the bath in the sink?
Are you now giving baths in the bathtub?
The purpose of this month's article
is to bring to light some of the everyday hazards you may encounter when
giving your child a bath or taking one yourself.
Relate a safety story to one of your
friends or family members and you most likely will receive a story in return.
As we share our experience we learn from others. Let's learn from each other
so that our children don't become the story with the unhappy ending.
SLEEPING IN THE BATHTUB: One
night I was giving my five year old daughter a bath. She was at the age where
she could wash herself but needed help with washing her hair. She wasn't
old enough to be left alone. I usually sat in the bathroom reading while
she played with her toys and then washed up. After reading for a while, I
looked up and she was just relaxing in the warm water with her head back.
I turned my eyes back to my book and continued reading. A couple minutes
later, I looked up again. This time I noticed my daughter had fallen asleep.
I reached over and grabbed her. I was very lucky because the water wasn't
that deep. What a scare this was.
Safety tips:
1. Stay with your child at all
times.
2. Fill the bath with just enough
water to bathe your child.
3. Bring your phone in the bathroom
with you to help prevent being distracted by leaving the room to get the
phone if it rings.
4. If you do occupy your time
while your child is in the bathtub, make sure you check on your child often.
Don't assume your child will call out for help or that you will hear
them.
5. Put all sharp objects such
as razors out of the reach. Check the bathtub for sharp objects or mouth
size objects before you put your child in.
6. Don't leave the bathroom to
get the phone or door. It might be an honest attempt to just let the person
know you will get back to them or let them in. However, there will always
be the possibility of getting distracted and leaving your child long enough
for a serious injury to occur or death.
TAKING A SHOWER OR BATH WHILE WATCHING
YOUR CHILD: One work at home parent related her story to me. She was
preparing to take a shower. She brought her infant in the bathroom with her.
The infant was in an infant seat. She placed her child on the sink and climbed
into the shower. Moments later she heard a loud bang. She quickly opened
the curtains and saw her child faced down in the toilet. Her child lived
and had no serious injuries. Many things went through her head after that
incident. As a parent, I can honestly see how easy something like this could
easily happen. Here are somethings to consider when you want to bathe or
shower and feel a need to have your child in close proximity:
1. Keep your child strapped in
and on the floor. A roaming child in the bathroom can be an invitation to
experience everything within reach.
2. Keep your child away from
the shower just incase you forget that your child is there when you step
out.
3. Make sure your hands are dry
and empty when you pick up your child.
About the Author: Donald A. Davis is a father of two and a 19 year military man. He is a "Morale" Officer. He was born in Billerica, MA, and graduated from Billerica High.
He worked at a computer company for one year after high school and then joined the military.
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