Families with children know that the bathroom can be one of the most fun rooms in the house but it can also be one of the most hazardous.

Water, hot temperatures and slippery surfaces all pose a range of potential dangers for young children and babies but the good news is that it’s easy to protect your little ones from harm by taking a few simple steps in the bathroom.

One of the first things to do is invest in some childproof locks for bathroom cupboards, doors and even the toilet. This will protect curious children from germs, medicines, toiletries, cleaning products or razors and any other potentially dangerous items in the bathroom.

Putting thermostatic controls on your bath and sink taps and shower is also a good idea. Baby skin scalds easily and this will prevent dangerous water burns by limiting the temperature of the water coming out of the taps. You can make sure the water is the right temperature (which should be the same as body temperature) by dipping in your elbow or using a bath thermometer.

Bathrooms can be slippy and dangerous and water can splash everywhere making hard surfaces, such as tiled floors or enamel bathtubs, hazardous. Invest in non-slip mats for the bottom of the bath and rubber backed mats for the floor to prevent slipping and sliding if the floor gets wet.

Never leave your baby alone in the bathtub, not even for a moment as babies can drown is as little as an inch of water. Make sure young children are supervised at all times and never left alone in the bathroom to ensure your young ones enjoy bathtime safely.

Opt for a bifold or hinged shower screen if your shower is over the bathtub. This means you have access to the whole bath at all times and never find your child stuck behind the fixed glass screen as you struggle to get hold of them.

Take care around heated towel rails and taps which can feel hot to the touch. Cover the towel rail or radiator with a towel and invest in tap covers to stop kids from scalding themselves on the hot fixtures and fittings.

With a few simple steps, your bathroom can be child proof and a fun, safe environment for everyone. Make your children are aware of water safety and ensure they are always supervised and safe from potential dangers and the whole family can enjoy washing and bathing together whatever the design and size of your bathroom.