Bath time might be part of the everyday family routine, but parents are being reminded that even a momentary distraction can have devastating consequences when young children are around water.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is urging parents and carers to give children their undivided attention during bath time, warning that children under five can drown quickly and silently in as little as two inches of water.
According to data covering 2019 to 2025, 88% of child drownings occurred in the absence of adult supervision.*
Even safety-conscious parents can be tempted to leave the bathroom briefly to fetch a towel, answer the door or check their phone. However, these seemingly harmless interruptions can mean missing the moment a child slips beneath the water.
Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety and Education at RLSS UK, said: “Every second counts, so even a brief interruption, like answering a message, can lead to a serious accident. Drowning can happen silently and within seconds, which is why it is so important for parents and carers to actively watch children during bath time.
“We understand that parents have a lot on their minds and on their to-do lists, but bath time only stays safe when your attention stays in the room.”
RLSS UK shares its SAFE bath-time routine
RLSS UK, a leading water safety education charity, believes no child should drown. Its Splash Safely at Home campaign aims to educate parents and carers about the risks of drowning among under-fives and the simple steps families can take to help prevent accidents.
This year, the campaign includes a partnership with Water Babies swim school and a new poster programme reaching more than 360 NHS obstetric units, midwifery units and family support hubs in England.
The charity is encouraging families to follow its SAFE routine during bath time.
S – Supervise at all times
Never leave a child alone in the bath, even for a few seconds. Keep them within arm’s reach whenever they are in or near water.
Bath seats and supports are not safety devices and do not replace adult supervision. Older children should not be left responsible for supervising younger siblings, as they may not recognise the dangers.
A – Avoid distractions
Bath time can fall during one of the busiest parts of the day, but checking messages, answering calls or looking for something elsewhere can take your attention away from your child.
Leave your phone outside the bathroom and focus on your child. Active supervision is essential, even when the water is shallow.
F – First, get everything ready
Before running the bath, make sure you have everything you need, including towels, toiletries, toys, nappies and clean clothes or pyjamas.
If you need to leave the bathroom for any reason, take your child with you.
E – Empty the bath straight away
Once bath time is over, drain the water completely and check that the bath is empty. Toys can sometimes block the plughole and leave water behind.
Keep bath plugs and toys out of children’s reach when not in use, and close the bathroom door to help prevent young children from accessing the bath or turning on the taps unsupervised.
Helping families stay safe around water
RLSS UK provides water safety advice and resources throughout the year to help families keep children of all ages safe around water.
By making active supervision part of the bath-time routine, parents and carers can help reduce the risk of accidents and make bath time a safer, more enjoyable experience for everyone.
Find out more: Visit the RLSS UK Splash Safely at Home campaign for further advice and resources.
Source: NCMD 2025 Child Drowning Report. Figures quoted cover 2019–2025.
