Caring parents are often horrified when it happens to their kids because often it is a safety issue they weren't prepared for. Be prepared and place a non-slip bath mat or decal to help prevent slipping and falling!
Shocking Statistics
A recent study that was published in HealthDay News highlighted a staggering statistic that each day, 120 children are taken to the emergency room suffering from injuries related to slipping in the tub. Young children of four years of age and under account for the majority of these accidents.
These figures do not take into account those kids that sustain minor injuries in the tub that were never taken to hospital. While common bathtub accidents include incidents of drowning or near-drowning and burns, the latest research highlights the fact that over 43,000 children are injured by slipping and falling each year!
Common Injuries
The most common injuries to toddlers that result from these slips and falls include cuts and lacerations of varying degrees, most particularly to the head. Since very young kids have a relatively high center of gravity, they are prone to toppling forward where there is a high risk of them striking their head and face.
Experts tend to lay the blame with manufacturers of bathtubs and showers for failing to provide sufficient surface friction. However, parents have some options they can do to prevent injuries to toddlers in the bathtub. Here are some of those opions:
- Use non-slip mats in bathtubs and on the floor outside them
- Install support bars in the tub for kids to hold when getting in and out
- Insure toddlers are supervised in or around the tub at all times
- Maintain constant physical contact with toddlers while in the bathtub
The Solution
Fortunately, there is a low cost, simple solution for this problem. It's one that you can easily obtain and apply for greater peace of mind.
Slip-resistant bath mats!
In the past, these injury-preventing mats were plain and dull, being merely functional and never given a second though by parents that used them to protect their kids. But it soon emerged that you can take a dull safety product and add some interest for kids by bringing them to life with colorful prints and decals.
The Choice is Endless
These days, you can get decals and mats depicting your children's favorite cartoon characters, playthings and other things of interest to add excitement and interest to bath times. Designs have gotten better and more interesting with color coordinated designs, animal shapes and styles to suit all bathroom preferences.
There is a huge choice of designs and styles that you can buy online at low prices from major stores. Now there is really no excuse for putting your child at risk of slipping and injuring themselves with such a wide, varied and exciting selection of mats available. See below for more details.