Issue Date:  -  Friday, 6 August 2004

Baby Bath Seat Drowning Risk

Never leave children in a bath without adult supervision for any reason is the urgent message from Consumer Protection.

While swimming pools are understandably singled out as dangerous to young children, parents don’t realise that approximately 20% of infant drowning in Australia occur in baths.

Consumer watchdogs around Australia have moved to consider the need for Government regulation to address the hazards associated with ‘frames’ in which a baby is placed in a bath of water following a drowning in NSW.

"Water and children can be a deadly combination with even the briefest lapse of supervision", Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker warns.

"Regardless of children being in bath seats, supports, harnesses or inflatable devices they should never be left unattended. Children should never supervise other children in a bath", he said.

A review by the Victorian Coroner found that of 22 bath related drownings in Victoria, 64% occurred when at least one other child was present.

Western Australia and NSW have both had labelling standards in place for baby bath seats since 1987. Western Australia has decided to introduce a new substantially enhanced Safety Order developed by NSW. The new Order came into force on 1st August 2004 and requires bath seats to have a prominent warning displayed on the goods in a position visible at all times during usage. (Sample of safety label reproduced at the bottom of this Media Statement)

The use of baby seats in baths continues to be monitored. While data on the dangers of bath seats in Australia is limited, information from the US Consumer Product Safety Committee is that there is no evidence that children being bathed with a baby seat are at greater risk of drowning than those without them.

"There is no substitution for adult supervision. Children have drowned in the time it takes to answer a telephone or get a towel", the Commissioner said.

General safety tips:

•  Never leave babies alone in a bath - not even for a second
•  Never use bath seats or supports in non slip baths as suction caps can detach suddenly
•  Never leave water in a bathtub that is unattended - either while filling the bath or after bathing.
•  Never leave buckets of water such as nappy buckets or eskies around young children
•  Keep toilet lids down. Consider using a clip to secure the lid

Consumers and suppliers alike can obtain further advice from Consumer Protection by telephoning 1300 30 40 54 or by email consumer@docep.wa.gov.au