126 HAWAII PARENT September/October 2024 “To check the temperature of the shower or sink water, use your wrist or elbow before putting your baby in the water; the water should feel close to your body temperature.” Time-tested bath mats and adult supervision can prevent falling – and potentially drowning – in the bath. “Have non-slip mats inside and outside the bath,” Dr. Diep advises. “Keep plugs out of reach, so kids don’t accidentally plug the drain (and make the water too deep).” Supervision at all times is important for young children while they are taking a bath or shower. Says Dr. Diep, “Minimize distractions while giving your child a bath. Do not leave children unsupervised, and do not leave the children to be supervised by older siblings.” including non-residents, the average annual death toll rises to 83. Most of the fatal drownings in Hawaii were in the ocean, and children under 5 years of age comprised nearly a third of the victims of fatal swimming pool drownings. What can parents do to keep keiki safe in the bath, pool and ocean? Dr. Diep kindly shares some recommendations. Be vigilant during a bath – and around any household water. Before putting a child in water, a bath temperature between 98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal to prevent any burns. “If you can set a thermostat on the water heater, it’s recommended to set it, so the water temperature does not go above 120 degrees Fahrenheit,” shares Dr. Diep. Babies and toddlers require constant supervision until they are old enough to wash themselves. “The majority of the near drowning cases that we see in the emergency room are a result of children not being properly supervised.”
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