James Setton 
For parents of infants and toddlers, the bathtub is a daily routine. It is also a location where drowning can occur in seconds. A baby can drown in water deep enough to cover the mouth and nose. The drowning timeline is silent and fast, regardless of the water source. Bathtub drowning incidents happen to families who never expected them. The parent steps away to answer the phone, retrieve a towel, or check a pot on the stove. The baby slips underwater. No sound alerts the parent. The return to the bathroom reveals a motionless child.
Bathtub safety requires absolute rules. No exceptions. No “just for a second.” The layers of protection that apply to pools also apply to the bathtub: active supervision, physical barriers, emergency preparedness, and even age-appropriate swimming skills. This guide provides parents with a complete approach to keeping babies and toddlers safe during bath time.
The single most important bathtub safety rule is also the simplest. Never leave a baby or toddler alone in the bathtub, even for a moment. This includes stepping out to answer the door, grabbing a towel from the hallway closet, or checking a boiling pot on the stove. It also includes situations where an older sibling is present. An older child cannot perform a rescue and should not be relied upon as a watcher.
If the phone rings, let it ring. If the doorbell sounds, ignore it. If you forget a towel, wrap the child in the bathwater-soaked towel you have or call for another adult to bring one. The only acceptable reason to leave a child in the bath is if another responsible adult is present to take over supervision continuously. Even then, the handoff must be explicit. “I am leaving. You are now watching.”
Parents should gather all supplies before starting the bath: towel, washcloth, soap, shampoo, diaper, and clean clothes. Place them within arm’s reach of the tub. This preparation eliminates the need to leave the bathroom.
In a swimming pool, touch supervision means staying within arm’s reach of a non-swimmer. In a bathtub, touch supervision means keeping at least one hand on the child at all times. A baby can slip underwater in the time it takes to turn and reach for a bottle of shampoo. Keep a hand on the child’s torso or arm. Do not rely on bath seats or rings to hold the child in place.
Bath seats are not safety devices. They are positioning aids. A bath seat can tip over. A baby can slide through the leg openings. The suction cups can release. Parents who use a bath seat often feel more confident leaving the child unattended for short periods. That confidence is misplaced. Treat a bath seat as a convenience, not a layer of protection.
For a baby or toddler, the bath needs only enough water to cover the lower body. Two to three inches is sufficient for cleaning. More water increases the drowning risk without improving the bathing experience. Fill the tub after the child is seated, not before. This allows you to control the depth precisely.
Water temperature should be warm, not hot. Test the water with your wrist or elbow before placing the child in the tub. The ideal temperature is 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A child’s skin burns more easily than an adult’s. Set your water heater to a maximum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding injuries.
Run cold water first, then add hot water. This reduces the risk of a child touching a hot tap or stepping into hot water. Turn off the hot tap before the cold tap. Always test the water with a thermometer or your skin.
Drowning is not the only bathtub hazard. Babies and toddlers slip on wet porcelain or fiberglass. A fall can cause head injury, broken bones, or loss of consciousness. A child who loses consciousness in the bath is at immediate drowning risk even if the water is shallow.
Place a non-slip mat or adhesive decals on the floor of the tub. These provide traction for both the child and the parent. Use a soft spout cover over the faucet to protect against head injury if the child lunges forward. Keep the bathroom floor dry to prevent slips when lifting the child in or out.
Never leave a child standing in the bathtub. Toddlers may try to stand, but the wet surface is unstable. Teach the child to remain seated. If the child stands, end the bath immediately.
Once bath time ends, drain the water immediately. Do not leave the child in the tub while you dry yourself or gather items. Lift the child out, wrap them in a towel, and then drain the tub. A child left in an empty tub is not at drowning risk, but a child left in a tub with standing water while a parent steps away is at risk.
After draining, store the bathtub toys in a mesh bag or a container outside the tub. Toys left in the tub can hold water and grow mold, and they also tempt a child to reach into an empty tub later. Remove all items from the tub after each use.
Bathtub safety extends beyond the bath itself. A toddler who finishes a bath may wander to the toilet. An open toilet lid presents a drowning hazard. The child can lean in, lose balance, and fall headfirst into the bowl. The water depth is enough to submerge the face, and the child may not be able to right themselves.
Install toilet lid locks on all toilets in the home. Keep bathroom doors closed when not in use. For very young children, a doorknob cover prevents the child from opening the door independently. These measures also prevent access to the bathtub when no adult is present.
Structured swimming education for babies and toddlers includes breath control and water adjustment. A child who has learned to hold their breath when water touches the face has a survival reflex that applies in the bathtub. If the child slips underwater unexpectedly, the breath hold buys seconds for the parent to respond.
SwimRight Academy’s parent-child classes for ages one to three teach breath control through gentle, progressive exposure. A child learns to close their mouth and hold their breath when water is poured over the head. This skill transfers directly to bathtub safety. However, parents must never rely on swimming skills as a substitute for supervision. The skills are an additional layer, not a replacement for a parent’s hand on the child.
Parents can practice breath control during bath time in a calm, playful manner. Use a small cup to pour water over the child’s head while saying, “Ready, go.” The child learns to anticipate the water and close their eyes and mouth. This practice builds confidence and reduces the startle response. Always keep a hand on the child during these exercises.
Even with all precautions, emergencies can occur. Every parent of a baby or toddler should be certified in infant and child CPR. The technique differs from adult CPR. Certification courses teach the correct compression depth, hand placement, and breath ratio for each age group.
Keep a phone within reach of the bathtub. A cordless phone or a mobile phone placed on the counter allows you to call 911 without leaving the child. Post the emergency number and your home address near the phone. In a panic, parents may forget their own address.
If you find a child unresponsive in the bath, remove the child immediately. Check for breathing. If the child is not breathing, begin CPR. Do not waste time trying to drain water from the lungs. Call 911 after two minutes of CPR if you are alone, or have someone else call while you continue.
The table below summarizes bathtub safety measures for babies and toddlers. Review these items before every bath.
| Safety Measure | Action Required | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Touch supervision | Keep one hand on the child at all times | Every bath |
| Prepare supplies beforehand | Towel, soap, diaper, clothes within arm’s reach | Before each bath |
| Water depth | 2–3 inches, fill after child is seated | Every bath |
| Water temperature | 90–100°F, test with wrist or thermometer | Every bath |
| Non-slip mat | Mat or decals on tub floor | Install once, check regularly |
| Faucet cover | Soft cover over spout | Install once |
| Toilet lid lock | Lock on all toilets | Install once, check function |
| Bathroom door | Closed when not in use; doorknob cover for young children | Daily |
| CPR certification | Parent and all caregivers certified | Renew every 2 years |
| Phone within reach | Cordless or mobile phone in bathroom | Every bath |
| Drain after use | Empty tub immediately after removing child | Every bath |
Even well-intentioned parents make errors that increase bathtub drowning risk. The most common mistake is believing that a bath seat allows short absences. A bath seat does not prevent drowning. The second most common mistake is relying on an older sibling to watch. Siblings under the age of 12 cannot be expected to perform a rescue or recognize the signs of drowning.
Another error is filling the tub before the child is seated. A toddler can climb into a full tub before the parent is ready. Fill the tub with the child already seated, or keep the bathroom door locked until you are prepared to supervise.
Some parents use bath water that is too hot, thinking the child will not be in long. Hot water causes burns and also increases the risk of overheating and fatigue. A child who becomes drowsy from warm water may slip underwater more easily.
Bathtime can be a positive, bonding experience. Safety does not need to create fear. Build a routine that automatically includes safety steps. Before turning on the water, place the towel and supplies on the counter. Close the bathroom door. Set the phone on the counter. Then run the water, test the temperature, and seat the child.
During the bath, keep a hand on the child. Sing songs, talk, or play with waterproof toys. The child will associate bath time with calm attention. When bath time ends, lift the child out, wrap in a towel, and drain the water. Then dress the child outside the bathroom.
Consistency builds habit. A parent who follows the same sequence every time does not need to remember safety rules. The rules become automatic.
Bathtub safety can feel overwhelming. The risks are real, but they are manageable. Focus on the one rule that matters most: never leave a child unattended in the bath. Everything else—water depth, temperature, non-slip mats—supports that rule. If you stay within arm’s reach and keep a hand on your child, you have eliminated the vast majority of bathtub drowning risk.
For parents who want to build their child’s water confidence and breath control in a safe, structured environment, SwimRight Academy offers parent-child swimming classes for babies and toddlers. These classes teach water adjustment and safety skills that carry over to bath time and beyond. Instructors work with parents to create positive, calm water experiences. Speak with a certified instructor to learn about age-appropriate classes starting as early as six months.
Guest article
The above may not coincide with the methodology and opinion of the SwimRight Academy Team.
James Setton 
