Charity urges parents to keep babies in arms’ reach in water as bath drownings treble

Katrina Phillips OBE, Chief Executive of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, said:

“It’s heartbreaking to hear of these tragic bath drownings. And really worrying to see a year-on-year increase.

“When we’re under pressure to get our baby bathed and down to sleep, it can be tempting to nip out to grab a towel. But it only takes a moment for them to slip quietly under the water. They won’t cry out in distress and they’re too little to get themselves out of trouble.

“It’s simply not safe to leave your baby or toddler alone in the bath. Stay within arm’s reach all the time while they’re in water. Baby bath seats are designed to make bathing easier but they won’t keep your child safe. Your baby needs your arms close by for that.”

Giles Haythornthwaite, Paediatric Emergency Medicine Consultant, Bristol Royal Infirmary said:

“It might shock some people that there are so many drownings every year, in what should be a safe place. For babies to drown in their home is clearly disturbing.

“It is important that parents receive good bathing safety advice from midwives and health visitors. In particular reminding parents that what will keep children and babies safe is constant supervision.

“It is unclear what is the cause of the recent rise in bath drownings. It’s possible that it is due to an increase in the use of bath seats and that there is an unforeseen knock-on effect in causing reduced parent supervision.

“While a baby bath seat might help make bath time easier it is not a replacement for the constant supervision of small children and babies while they are bathing.”

• Get everything you need ready before bath time.
• Stay with your baby or young child all the time they’re in the bath. Keep them in arm’s reach.
• Bath seats can topple or your baby can slip out. Don’t leave your baby alone in one even for a moment.
• Don’t rely on your toddler to keep an eye on the baby while you pop out for a towel. They’re too young to understand the danger.