Home Water Hazards
for Young Children
     
  

Each year many young children drown in swimming pools, other bodies of water, and standing water around the home such as:

  • Bathtubs, even with baby seats or bathtub "supporting ring" devices
  • Buckets and pails, especially 5-gallon buckets and diaper pails
  • Ice chests with melted ice
  • Toilets
  • Hot tubs, spas, and whirlpools
  • Irrigation ditches, post holes, and wells
  • Fish ponds, fountains

Children must be watched by an adult at all times when in or near water. Children may drown in an inch or 2 of water. Stay within an arm's length of your child.

Other safety activities include the following:

  • Empty all buckets, pails, and bathtubs completely after each use - do not leave them filled and unattended.
  • Keep young children out of the bathroom unless they are closely watched. Teach others in the home to keep the bathroom door closed. Install a hook-and-eye latch or doorknob cover on the outside of the door. Always close the toilet lid, and consider using a toilet lid latch.
  • Never leave a child alone in a bathtub or in the care of another child, even for a moment. A bath seat is not a safety device and is not a substitute for adult supervision.
  • Use a rigid, lockable cover on a hot tub, spa, or whirlpool, or fence in all 4 sides as you would for a swimming pool.
  • The hottest temperature at the faucet should be no more than 120°F to avoid burns. In many cases you can adjust your water heater.
  • Throw away or tightly cover water or chemical mixtures after use.
  • Watch children closely when they are playing near wells, open post holes, or irrigation or drainage ditches. Fill in empty holes or have fences installed to protect your child.
  • Learn CPR and know how to get emergency help.


The information in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on the individual facts and circumstances.

3-29/rev0208 © 1994 American Academy of Pediatrics HE0131

swimming pool pool safety water safety swim safety swimming pool pool safety water safety swim safety pool pool pool pool pool pool pool