How serious are bathtub drownings?

Deadly. Infants are most at risk in a bathtub, and can drown in as little as one inch of water. At least one child per year tends to drown in Maricopa County alone. There is no treatment or medication to “undo” injuries sustained in a drowning, so preventing these tragedies is critical.

• Children must be supervised while bathing. Leaving a child in charge of a younger sibling is not acceptable. Many tragedies occur when the child is left alone in the tub for "just a few seconds" while the telephone is being answered or while the parent or adult caretaker is getting a towel.
• The bathtub is not to be used as an unsupervised playground, but as a fun time to be shared with the parent or adult caretaker. It is very important to immediately empty the bathtub once the bath is finished.
• Children have also been known to drown in toilet bowls. A young toddler is inquisitive by nature and is drawn to any body of water, including the toilet bowl. Because of a toddler's head and body weight distribution, the child that reaches into the toilet and falls in head first may not have the strength to right himself and escape. Silently, the child drowns. Safety latches for toilet seats are recommended.

La-Z-Boy Furniture created special tags reminding parents of the need for supervision at bath time. They are hung in the bathroom around the tub area. To receive a Tubby Tag please go to any La-Z-Boy Furniture Store or contact Phoenix Children’s Hospital at (602) 546-1712.
Tubby Tags Program (pdf)