Water Safety at Home : Home Baths
RoSPA publishes statistics on deaths by drowning each year and the table below shows the number of people who have drowned in the bath, over a five year period and shows the drowning deaths in the bath as a percentage of all drowning deaths.
| Year |
All Deaths by Drowning |
Home Baths |
% |
| 1998 |
568 |
53 |
9 |
| 1999 |
569 |
31 |
5 |
| 2000 |
448 |
29 |
6 |
| 2001 |
430 |
35 |
8 |
| 2002 |
427 |
42 |
9.8 |
| Average |
488 |
38 |
7.5 |
Never leave a young child unattended whilst in the bath and do not rely on an older sibling who is also in the bath being able to supervise or support a younger child, even for a moment. Ensure that you have everything that you need close at hand before you put your child in the bath and do not be tempted by the telephone, doorbell or other distractions to leave your child. Maintain constant supervision of your child at all times, even turning away for a moment can lead to problems.
The Forum discourages the use of bathing seats as they create a false sense of security and parents may feel that their child is safe in the seat and can be left momentarily without supervision. Unfortunately there have been 6 cases in the last 8 years where children left in bathing seats have toppled into the water and drowned. If you are using a bathing seat, under no circumstances leave your child.
If you have a medical condition that makes you susceptible to collapse or fitting, for example, epilepsy, always bathe with caution and preferably when other people are present in the house and alert to your condition. Consider taking a shower instead of a bath, but still exercise caution. If you have limited mobility or are frail, have rails and seats fitted to assist you to get into and out of the bath and if possible ask someone to help you when bathing. Consider a seated shower as a safer alternative, but use rails and non-slip mats as well.
