Bath time can be a wonderful bonding time for a parent and child, and a fun opportunity for a small child to become comfortable with water. But the bathtub is also one of the most dangerous areas of the house for a child and one of the most likely spots for a water accident.
Key water safety concerns during bath time include:
- Maintaining constant adult supervision to prevent drowning or near drowning
- Keeping track of the temperature of the water coming from the faucet in order to prevent scalds and burns
- Seeking to prevent dangerous slip and fall accidents by helping the child in and out of the bathtub and not allowing him or her to stand up in the tub
In a BabyCenter.com story about bathtub safety, Dr. David L. Katz, director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine, states that “more than 40,000 children are injured badly enough each year in bath and shower tumbles to warrant a trip to the emergency room.”
In the article, Katz emphasizes a desire to see tub and shower manufacturers produce fixtures that are less slippery, and to design surfaces that are less dangerous to those who do slip and fall.
Perhaps the most important factor in preventing slip and fall accidents, which can lead to traumatic brain injury, is proper adult supervision. Those that care for children, including daycare workers and babysitters, must exercise the utmost caution when allowing children near bathtubs.
For more information on water-related brain injuries and child accidents, visit our library.
When selecting a Boston child injury attorney you’ll want to ask critical questions such as; how long have you been practicing law; do you have experience with child accident cases in Massachusetts; what is the biggest settlement or verdict you have won?
For over 30 years The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts, has fought on behalf of children. Our child injury lawyers take time when speaking with you about your child’s injuries. Mr. Kiley’s firm works with you on a contingency basis, which means there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury attorneys win your case. Call now for a FREE legal consultation.
