Never underestimate what a small child can do in a split second to injure themselves or extinguish their own life.

Bathing your child with the right preparation doesn't have to be a challenge between you and all the "danger monsters" lurking in the bathroom, waiting for you to drop your guard.

Keep your bathroom a safe place. Make sure anything poisonous is stored in cupboards so they can't be spied by the child's roving eye. Put away scissors and shaving razors (the last thing you want is to turn around and see a child trying to comb their hair with a razor). Unplug electrical appliances and wind up cords so little hands can't grab them and pull them into the water.

If you make it a habit to put these items away after you've finished using them, it should be simple keeping the bathroom hazard free.

The next thing to do is gather everything you need. Clean towels, baby soap, shampoo conditioner, powder and a face washer.

Now put your phone's answering machine on and firmly resolve to let your cell phone go to voice mail if it rings.

Locate your child and inform them it's time for their bath.

Try to allow at least an hour for bath time. This makes it more relaxing for you because you are not rushing and more fun for the child because they get to have "playtime" in the water.

Being more relaxed reduces the risk of an accident occurring. You will be more attentive to the child and watch what they are doing. Additionally if the child expects bath time to be a fun experience they will love having a bath and be a willing participant.

To add to the joy of bath time (and to distract the child from turning on the hot tap while drinking the shampoo) have lots of bright colored toys for them to play with. Boats, ducks, fish. Anything that is too large to fit all the way inside a child's mouth but can float.

NEVER turn your back on the child, not even for a second. If you do need to reach behind you or look the other way to pick up something ALWAYS have one hand in contact with the child's shoulder. That way if something goes wrong you're already halfway to preventing them from slipping or yanking them out of the bath to safety.

Bath time is an opportunity for you to have quality time with your child. Therefore mold funny spikes on their head when you're shampooing their hair, blow bubbles together, and put soapsuds on their nose and chin. When it's time to get all the soap off make sure you have a water pistol handy for a good rinse (a small water pistol, not a super soaker).

If while bathing your child they start to munch on the soap, don't be alarmed. It's the least thing you have to worry about.

You want the child to know that soap tastes bad to ensure they keep a clean mouth when they get older.

Happy Bath Time!

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