Drowning can happen in silence, in an instant and in a very small amount of water, such as a puddle or a basin.
There are things you can do to keep your baby or child safe around water at home.
Baths and water safety
The biggest risk of drowning for babies and children at home is the bath.
Important
Never leave your child alone in the bath, even for a moment.
Put everything you need near the bath before you put your child in the bath. For example, towels and soap.
If you need to leave the bathroom while bathing your child, take them with you. Do not ask an older child to supervise.
Only use enough water to wash your child safely.
Always drain the bath as soon as you are finished.
Bath temperature
Having the bath too hot is the most common cause of fatal and severe scalds to young children.
When you run a bath:
- Put the cold water in first.
- Add warm water until it gets to the right temperature - around 36 degrees Celsius for newborns and 37 to 38 degrees Celsius for babies and children.
- Run cold water again to cool the taps so they cannot burn your baby.
- Test the water with your elbow before putting your child in the bath.
Do not use bath seats
Do not use bath seats. They are not safety equipment.
Bath seats make it feel like your child is safe. But they can tip over and hold your child's head under the water.
Hot liquids and cooking
Scald injuries from kettles and pans on cookers are common.
Important
Never hold your child while you hold or prepare hot drinks and food.
Make sure small children cannot reach pans or kettle cords.
Always cook on the back rings of your cooker first with the handle of the pan turned in. Use a cooker guard for protection.
Keep hot drinks out of your child’s reach. Small amounts of liquid can injure a child’s face and body. Avoid using tablecloths. Children can pull hot drinks down with a tablecloth.
Preventing burns and scalds from liquids
Preventing burns from cooking and hot food
First aid for burns and scalds
Other water risks indoors
Empty any containers of water, such as basins or mop buckets, when you finish using them. Store containers or put them upside down after use.
Keep toilet and bathroom doors closed so young children cannot enter without being supervised.
Child safety checklist for parents including child proofing (PDF, 2 pages, 5.32MB)
Child safety wallchart for parents including basic first aid (PDF, 4 pages, 3.22MB)