Toddler Bathroom Safety: Water, Heat and Medicines

8 sections 8 min read

1 Supervision: The First Layer of Protection
2 Preventing Scalds from Hot Water
3 Safe Storage of Medicines and Cosmetics
4 Electrical Safety in a Wet Room
5 Slips, Falls and Other Hazards
6 A Simple Bathroom Safety Checklist
7 Frequently asked questions
7.1 At what age can a child bathe alone?
7.2 Are bath seats safe to use with a toddler?
7.3 What should I do if my child swallows something poisonous?
8 Sources

By Lauren Holland

The bathroom holds a surprising number of risks for a curious toddler. Water, heat sources, medicines and even everyday toiletries can become hazards in the few moments a caregiver looks away. Because young children can move quickly and do not yet understand danger, creating a safer bathroom environment means combining constant supervision with a handful of practical changes. This guide walks you through the key steps to reduce the most common bathroom risks, drawing on advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Safe Kids Worldwide.

Quick summary: Never leave a toddler unattended in the bath, even for a moment. Set your water heater to 120°F or lower, lock away medicines and cosmetics, unplug and store electrical appliances, and use nonslip strips and a toilet lid lock. Always drain the tub after use and keep the bathroom door closed when not in use.

Supervision: The First Layer of Protection

The AAP’s bathroom safety guidance states that the simplest way to prevent bathroom injuries is to make the room inaccessible unless a child is accompanied by an adult. This may mean installing a latch on the door at adult height so the child cannot enter when you are not around. Any lock on the door should be unlockable from the outside, in case a child locks themselves in. The AAP also recommends using safety latches or doorknob covers to keep bathrooms closed when they are not in use.

When it is bath time, constant, close supervision is essential. The AAP emphasizes that children can drown in only a few inches of water, so a young child should never be left alone in the bath, even for a moment. If you must answer the door or phone, wrap your child in a towel and take them with you. The CPSC notes that a child can drown in as little as 2 inches of water, and it happens quickly and silently. According to the CPSC, two-thirds of in-home drowning deaths occur in the bathtub. The AAP adds that most child drownings inside the home occur in bathtubs, usually during a lapse in adult supervision. Bath seats and rings are bathing aids, not safety devices; the AAP warns that they will not prevent drowning if a child is left unattended. The AAP recommends staying within arm’s length, providing constant “touch supervision,” whether it is bath time or swim time. The AAP also says children should not bathe alone until they are at least 6 years old.

After the bath, drain the tub immediately. Safe Kids Worldwide advises draining the tub as soon as bath time is over. The AAP also says never to leave water in the bathtub when it is not in use. Keep the toilet lid closed and use a toilet lid lock. A curious toddler who leans over to play in the water can lose balance and fall in headfirst. The AAP adds that toddlers can topple headfirst into toilet bowls and filled tubs, so blocking unsupervised access to bathrooms is a critical layer of protection. For more on water hazards throughout the home, see our water safety guide.

Preventing Scalds from Hot Water

Hot water from faucets can cause serious burns in seconds. The CPSC says the water heater can be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to prevent burns. Safe Kids Worldwide also advises setting the water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or the manufacturer’s recommended setting. The AAP’s bathroom safety tips say the same: adjust your water heater so the hottest temperature at the faucet is no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.9 degrees Celsius). Always check the water with your wrist or elbow before placing a child in the bath; it should feel warm, not hot.

In addition to lowering the water heater temperature, the CPSC suggests installing anti-scald devices for faucets and shower heads. The CPSC lists them as a way to help prevent scalding or burns. When a child is old enough to turn the faucets, the AAP recommends teaching them to start the cold water before the hot. For more on preventing burns throughout the home, see our burn prevention guide.

Safe Storage of Medicines and Cosmetics

The AAP advises that all medicines should be kept in containers with safety caps, but these caps are child-resistant, not childproof. Therefore, store all medicines and cosmetics high and out of reach in a locked cabinet. Do not keep toothpaste, soaps, shampoos and other frequently used items in the same cabinet. Instead, place those everyday items in a hard-to-reach cabinet equipped with a safety latch or lock. This separation reduces the chance that a child will access dangerous products while reaching for something familiar.

The CPSC also recommends using safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers in bathrooms to help prevent poisonings. Even products with child-resistant packaging should be locked away and kept out of reach, because that packaging is not childproof. If you suspect that a child has ingested a poisonous substance, call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 immediately. For more on poison prevention, visit our poison prevention page.

Electrical Safety in a Wet Room

Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. The AAP’s bathroom safety tips say that if you use electrical appliances such as hair dryers and razors in the bathroom, you should unplug them and store them in a cabinet with a safety lock when they are not in use. It is even better to use them in another room where there is no water. An electrician can install special bathroom wall sockets, known as ground-fault circuit interrupters, that can lessen the likelihood of electrical injury if an appliance falls into water.

The CPSC’s childproofing guide recommends using outlet covers and tamper-resistant receptacles to protect children from electrical shock. For a broader look at childproofing products, see our outlet covers guide.

Slips, Falls and Other Hazards

Wet surfaces make slips and falls a common bathroom injury. The AAP recommends installing no-slip strips on the bottom of the bathtub. The AAP’s grandparent safety tips also suggest putting nonslip material in the bathtub to avoid dangerous falls. A cushioned cover over the water faucet can protect a child from injury if they bump their head.

Keep the bathroom door closed when not in use. The AAP’s drowning prevention guidance says to use safety latches or doorknob covers to keep bathrooms closed. This simple step prevents unsupervised access and reduces the risk of drowning, scalding and poisoning all at once. For a complete room-by-room approach to toddler safety, read our toddler-proofing guide.

A Simple Bathroom Safety Checklist

Use this list as a reminder of the key steps. While no device or checklist can replace active supervision, these measures work together to reduce risks.

Always stay within arm’s reach of a child in the bath. Never leave them alone, even for a moment.
Drain the tub immediately after use. Never leave standing water in a tub, bucket or sink.
Install a toilet lid lock and keep the lid closed.
Set the water heater to 120°F or lower, and consider anti-scald devices on faucets.
Store all medicines, vitamins and cosmetics in a locked cabinet out of reach. Keep daily toiletries in a separate, latched cabinet.
Unplug and lock away hair dryers, razors and other electrical appliances. Use them in a different room if possible.
Place nonslip strips or a nonslip mat in the bathtub.
Use a door latch or doorknob cover to keep the bathroom door closed when not in use.
Keep the Poison Help number (1-800-222-1222) and your pediatrician’s number handy.

Remember, the CPSC reminds caregivers that no device is completely childproof; determined toddlers have been known to overcome or disable safety devices. Regular checks and consistent habits are essential. For additional checklists covering other areas of the home, browse our safety checklists page.

Frequently asked questions

At what age can a child bathe alone?

The AAP recommends that children not be allowed to bathe alone until they are at least 6 years old. It also says not to let another young sibling supervise children under this age.

Are bath seats safe to use with a toddler?

Bath seats and rings are intended as bathing aids, not safety devices. The AAP warns that they will not prevent drowning if a child is left unattended. Always keep a hand on your child and stay within arm’s reach during bath time.

What should I do if my child swallows something poisonous?

If you suspect poisoning, call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. If the child is unconscious, having trouble breathing or having seizures, call 911 immediately.

For more detailed guidance on making the bathroom safer, explore our bathroom safety category page, which covers additional topics and product considerations. You can also browse the broader room-by-room safety section for help with other areas of your home.

Sources

About Lauren Holland

Lauren Holland is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our childproofing guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.