Bath Safety Tips to Keep Everyone Safe
Next time you take a bath or give your adorable kiddo one, keep in mind the following bath safety tips recommended by the caring physicians of Prestige ER.
Each year close to 234,000 adults visit the emergency room due to bath-related injuries; an additional 43,000 children also end up in the ER for the same reasons.
The elderly are also at high risk; the CDC says more than 1 in 4 adults 65 or older suffers a fall at least once a year and over half of those occur in the bathroom.
Slips and falls make up most non-fatal accidents during bath time, but burns and accidental drownings are also of great concern.
Some injuries can result in life-long disabilities, and others are severe enough to cause death. All this serves to highlight the importance of bath time safety.
Bath Safety Tips for Small Children
Never Leave a Child Alone in The Bathroom.
Children under four should always have an adult supervising their bath time, as small children can quickly drown even in shallow waters.
Children are rambunctious, and bath time is often playtime, according to them. So, make sure to always keep an eye on them while they play in the tub, and install slip-resistant strips or mats on the bathtub or shower floor.
Children’s skin is more sensitive than adult skin and can quickly burn or scald if the water is too hot. Before allowing your child to enter the bathtub or shower, check the water temperature to ensure it is below 120°F.
Consider using child-proof bathtub faucet handles to prevent your child from accidentally drowning or burning themselves.
Add a spout cover to the faucet to help protect their heads should they fall.
Bath Safety Tips for Adults and Seniors Over 65
Ensure you install non-slip floor tiles in the bathroom, both in and out of the shower. High gloss tiles may look fabulous, but they can increase your risk of falling when wet.
Use a non-slip rub or bathmat to help prevent falls when exiting the bath.
Add grab bars, as these can be useful to help maintain balance and avoid slipping when your feet are soapy.
Reduce clutter. While it’s important to keep necessities accessible, having clear pathways in and out of the shower or tub is vital if you want to avoid tripping and falling.
Add a bath chair; these can help seniors with limited mobility or those who suffer from impaired balance feel more secure while bathing.
When to Go to the ER
Regardless of how careful you are, accidents can still happen. Here are a few scenarios of when you should visit the nearest ER:
- When your child accidentally goes underwater. Even if you think your child is fine or you were able to resuscitate them after they’ve gone underwater for a few minutes, it’s essential to bring them to the ER to ensure their lungs are ok.
- When someone slips or falls and hits their head. Head injuries are serious and should be looked at by a doctor as soon as possible. No matter what age the victim is, if they lose consciousness, have an open wound, are acting disoriented or lethargic, you need to rush them to the nearest ER.
- If you suspect you, your child or a member of your family broke a bone after a fall.
At Prestige ER, we believe in offering the best care in the fastest times because every second counts during an emergency.
That is why we now have two convenient locations in Plano and Mesquite. We are open 24/7 and have the most qualified and caring physicians and nurses at your disposal.
Prestige ER – In Plano and Mesquite
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We are available 24/7 because an accident or illness complication can happen at any time. Do not risk your health by not getting help from the ER experts, visit us immediately at either of our two locations in Mesquite and Plano Texas.
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