Children are naturally curious, adventurous, and eager to explore their environment. While their inquisitive nature is beneficial for learning and development, it sometimes leads them into situations that can be harmful or destructive. Particularly when it comes to the plumbing in your home.
Keeping both your plumbing and your children safe should be a priority for every parent or caregiver. Let's take a closer look at some common plumbing dangers that children might encounter and how to effectively prevent them by childproofing your home's plumbing.
Install Drain Covers
Children often wonder what happens when small toys, food, or other miscellaneous items disappear down the drain. Unfortunately, these experiments can lead to serious plumbing clogs.
Installing drain covers is a simple and cost-effective solution. These drain covers prevent children from dropping items into sinks, bathtubs, or showers, significantly reducing the risk of blockages and potential plumbing emergencies.
Drain covers are readily available at local hardware stores and online, making them easy to obtain and install.
Install Anti-Scald Devices
Did you know that each year in the U.S., more than 2,000 children suffer scalding injuries from overly hot water? This is a frightening statistic for any parent.
Children love playing with faucets, and accidental scalding can happen quickly. To safeguard your child, consider installing anti-scald devices on faucets and showerheads.
These devices regulate water temperature by mixing cold water with hot, preventing the water from becoming dangerously hot.
Reach out to your local plumber in Springfield, Missouri, who can recommend and professionally install an anti-scald valve to ensure your water stays at a safe, consistent temperature.
Lock Down Your Toilet
To a toddler, toilets are fascinating. The allure of swirling water and the satisfaction of flushing can lead them to experiment with flushing items that don't belong there—like toys, keys, jewelry, and even cell phones.
Unfortunately, this curiosity often results in clogged toilets and emergency plumbing calls.
There is even a potential drowning risk if a toddler leans over and accidentally falls in head first.
A simple toilet lock can save you significant trouble and expense. These locks are inexpensive and easy to install, typically available for under $10 at local retailers.
They provide peace of mind, ensuring your toilet remains off-limits to adventurous little hands.
Clean Your Drains Regularly
Even with preventative measures, sometimes items slip through unnoticed. Regular professional drain cleaning can help prevent minor blockages from becoming serious clogs.
Additionally, routine plumbing inspections allow professional plumbers to spot early signs of problems and address them proactively.
It’s recommended that your plumbing be inspected by a professional at least every other year, especially if you have young children prone to exploring and experimenting.
Secure Cabinets With Plumbing Supplies
Another often-overlooked plumbing-related hazard involves storage areas where chemicals or plumbing supplies are kept. Curious children might ingest hazardous materials or accidentally misuse plumbing tools.
Installing child safety locks or latches on cabinets containing cleaning supplies, plumbing chemicals, or sharp plumbing tools is essential.
It ensures these potentially dangerous items remain securely out of reach.
At United Plumbing, your safety and peace of mind are our highest priorities. We’re dedicated to helping you create a safe, child-friendly home environment through reliable plumbing solutions.
If you require assistance, guidance, or professional installation for any plumbing safety devices, don't hesitate to contact us.
Available 24/7, no plumbing job is too big or too small for your friendly neighborhood plumbers in Springfield, Missouri.