When you have toddlers in the house, you probably focus on what they are eating, the kind of games they are playing, and other health matters. You might not realize that you also need to focus on their access to the plumbing in your home. As a parent, it is important to keep an eye on your home’s plumbing and its performance, especially when you have curious toddlers around. Since the plumbing system usually contains some hazardous parts, you must ensure that certain parts of the house are safe and child-friendly. The following plumbing changes and upgrades can help you take proper precautions when having curious toddlers around.
Install Anti-Scald Devices on Faucets
When you were designing your faucets, you may not have put into consideration the issue of having kids around. Unfortunately, most toddler burns are caused by hot water in the bathroom. Since toddlers like experimenting with everything in the house, you need to ensure that the water coming from faucets is not hot enough to scald them. You can protect them from a burn by installing an anti-scald device on every faucet. An anti-scald is a device that regulates the temperature of water flowing from the faucet.
Put GCFIs in Bathrooms and Kitchens
A GFCI is a type of electrical outlet that regularly tracks the flow of electricity and halts the flow if there is any current loss. It is an essential component of the plumbing system as it prevents anyone from being electrocuted if they accidentally touch a wire and water concurrently. For instance, if your toddler mistakenly drops a plugged-in toaster in a sink or bucket of water, the GCFI works by preventing the child from getting seriously hurt.
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Use Drain Catchers
Most drains are not designed with drain catchers in them. However, if you have toddlers around and your drains don’t have catchers installed, it’s time to make the change. When kids are playing, they may drop small toys, a candy wrapper, or a tissue into the sink, resulting in clogging. A drain catcher is crucial as it prevents small items from falling into the drain. It also protects the drain from intentional drain stuffing, which toddlers are prone to do when left unsupervised with a drain for long enough.
Install a Lock on the Toilet
Locking your toilet is vital as it ensures the safety of your baby and your plumbing. When a toilet is left open, your baby is at increased risk for potentially falling into the toilet and drowning. Also, the baby can drop toys or other items into the bowl, which can result in a clog. Therefore, since there are plenty of styles of toilet locks on the market, ensure you get one that perfectly fits your toilet.
Safety is something that most people ignore as they tend to think that they cannot become victims of impending dangers. But, unfortunately, millions of people who think the same end up in accidents and emergencies. Therefore, it is important to ensure you take time to assess the various hazards in your home and develop preventive strategies for your children’s safety.
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. She recommends working with a professional to childproof your home’s plumbing.
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