How to Keep a Baby From Drowning

A baby can drown in a container with as little as 1 inch of water. Pools often come to mind at the mention of drowning, but bathtubs and tubs of water also put your infant at risk. Safety precautions -- particularly constant supervision -- significantly reduce the risk of your baby becoming submerged in water. All adults who care for your baby should understand the importance of water safety.

Things You'll Need

  • Toilet locking device
  • Pool fence
  • Pool alarm
  • Personal floatation device

Instructions

    • 1

      Close the bathroom door at all times, even when no one is using the room, once your baby is mobile. A closed door keeps him away from sources of water in the bathroom.

    • 2

      Secure the toilet lid in the closed position when not in use. Use a special childproofing device made for this purpose. If your baby can pull himself up to the toilet, he can fall forward into the toilet water.

    • 3

      Gather all supplies you'll need for your baby's bath before you fill the tub. Stay right next to the tub the entire time your baby is in the water. Even walking across the bathroom to get a towel puts him at risk for becoming submerged. Don't rely on an infant tub ring or similar device to keep him above water. Adult supervision is still necessary.

    • 4

      Drain the tub immediately after the bath. A mobile infant could crawl or walk back into the bathroom and fall into the water if you leave the tub full.

    • 5

      Empty any containers of water you use around the house, such as a kiddie pool or a bucket of water used for cleaning. An unattended container full of water poses a drowning risk if your baby falls head first into it.

    • 6

      Install safety devices if you have a pool in your backyard. Secure the pool completely with a fence. Use a pool alarm that sounds when anything falls into the water, which alerts you if your baby somehow falls into the pool.

    • 7

      Use floatation aids in the pool with caution. The devices often give a false sense of security while still leaving your baby at risk for drowning. He still needs an adult with him anytime he is in the pool. Choose a personal floatation device, such as a life preserver, instead of an air-filled toy, such as a pool ring or water wings, to follow the recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

    • 8

      Hold your baby at all times in the pool. When he plays in a shallow wading pool, sit right next to him so you can reach out your hand and touch him. This allows you to grab him immediately if he goes under water.

    • 9

      Keep your baby in your line of sight at all times in or near a body of water. Even a few seconds of looking away gives your baby time to scoot into the water. Always designate one person as the adult in charge of your baby at the pool. That adult needs to be clear that he is the one responsible for the baby.

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