Bath time with your little one can be an exciting AND a scary experience for a parent. Running the water at just the right temperature to keep your little one comfy; is the water too hot? Too cold? Using the softest of washcloths to clean their fragile bodies; is this the right soap for their skin? What if it gets in their eyes? Watching as they splash the water and watch bubbles float around.
To ensure that bath time with baby is more exciting and less scary, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has released new federal standards on infant bathtubs. These new standards include:
- Improved warning statements printed on infant bathtubs
- Allow more time for the latching or locking mechanism testing
- Improved performance requirements that address infant bathtub strength
It is suggested that you purchase an infant tub manufactured on or after October 2, 2017 to ensure that the baby’s tub meets the new safety standards.
While the CPSC has set guidelines as to how the tubs themselves can be safe, it is up to each parent to make sure that bath time with their little one is a safe time.
The following 4 tips are ways each person can keep their little one safe while keeping them clean.
- NEVER leave young children alone near water – All it takes is a moment and a little one can drown in even the slightest amount of water
- ALWAYS stay within arm’s reach of a child in a bathtub – if for any reason, you must leave the vicinity of the bathtub, take the child with you
- NEVER leave a young child in charge of a baby or toddler alone in a bathtub – babies can only safely be monitored in the tub with an adult, no matter how mature you think your child may be
- Learn CPR – When time is of the essence, knowing CPR can be the difference between life and death.
According to the CPSC, between 2004 and 2015 there were 31 infant deaths related to infant bathtubs; they are continually working to improve the safety of infant tubs in order to avoid future infant injuries and deaths.
Aside from the tub safety, the CPSC monitors the safety of all consumer products. A list of recalled products, from toys to HVAC, bikes to appliances, any item that has been recalled by the CPSC is listed on their website (www.cpsc.gov), along with information on what to if you have a recalled product.
Help keep dangerous items off store shelves by reporting hazardous items to the CPSC through their easy online form. All it takes is 10 minutes and you can help keep others informed about unsafe products.