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Water, Water Everywhere – But Not Near Electricity

On summer days, you’re likely to take more showers than usual after swimming, playing outdoor sports or working in the yard.

So, it’s a good time to make sure your bathroom is a safe place.

The bathroom is one of the few places in the home where electrical appliances and water have a great chance to meet—and a great chance to cause electrical shock or death.

If you have kids, the bathroom can be a room of hazards—electrical or otherwise—waiting to happen. But it doesn’t have to be. Try these tips to dampen the danger:

  • Use a bath mat with a non-skid bottom on the floor and use a non-slip mat or decals on the floor of the tub.
  • Keep medications and vitamins in their original containers to avoid confusion, and always choose child-resistant caps. Keep medications and cleaning supplies locked away if there are small children around.
  • Make a storage space under the counter and out of the way for hair dryers, curling irons and other electrical appliances. Get in a habit of placing these appliances there when they are not in use. They are hazardous with water contact. Educate children on the dangers of mixing water and electricity.
  • Use nightlights in the hallway and bathroom for easy bathroom access at night.
  • Don’t leave children unattended during bath time. If you have toddlers, use toilet seat locks to prevent drowning.
  • Check the temperature of bath water and fully fill the tub before putting children in. Tap water can instantly scald if you let it run too hot. Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to guard against burns, but keep bathwater at 100 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.