Never leave a baby unattended in or near water

The single most important bath safety rule is to never leave a baby or toddler alone in or near water, even for a second. Drowning can occur in as little as 1 inch of water and can happen silently in under a minute. If the phone rings or someone knocks at the door, wrap the baby in a towel and take them with you.

Why It Works

The AAP identifies drowning as a leading cause of injury-related death in children ages 1-4. Infants lack the motor coordination to right themselves if they slip under water. Bath seats and rings are not safety devices and do not prevent drowning -- they can tip over, giving a false sense of security.

Tips

• Prepare everything you need (soap, towel, clean clothes, diaper) before starting the bath
• Keep one hand on the baby at all times during the bath
• Do not rely on bath seats, bath rings, or older siblings to watch the baby in water
• Drain the tub immediately after bath time
• The same rule applies to wading pools, buckets, and any open container of water