Potty training tips are likely not what you would expect to see on a pool safety blog. But our regular readers know that when it comes to water safety, we mean business. If there is water that can be of danger to you, we want you to know about it. Well, since June is
Potty Training Awareness Month, this is the perfect opportunity to talk about how you can create an environment for your little one that is both welcoming and safe.
Potty Training and Water Safety
Okay, so why are we discussing potty training tips on this blog? As we often let our readers know, drowning is the number one cause of death among children under four years of age. The thing is, kids usually begin potty training around the age of two or three. Now, we aren’t suggesting that potty training is the cause of these drownings. However, potty training does often give kids access to the bathroom that they may not have had before.
You see, when potty training, many parents leave their bathroom doors open. This can give a child the freedom to recognize when they need to use the toilet and take the initiative to go on their own. However, this also means that the child can explore new territory and may wander off on their own.
It Only Takes Two Inches
With all of this in mind, it's time to be more aware of the dangers of the bathroom. The truth is, all it takes is two inches of water for a person to drown. It is important to keep this in mind, as it applies to everything from the bathtub and kiddie pool to the toilet and nearby pond. The bathroom is a place that can be quite dangerous for children if we don’t think ahead and make the area safe for them.
Keeping Your Bathroom Safe for Potty Training
There are a number of ways to keep the bathroom open to kids while ensuring that they remain safe.
The Toilet: The toilet is filled with exposed water that
kids can drown in. It is quite possible that a child can pull themselves up to peak in and tip over without the means to pull themselves back out. Not to mention their penchant for throwing toys into that toilet water! One alternative is to keep the toilet locked with a latch and purchase a stand-alone potty for your child. This way, they aren’t at risk but can still train to use the toilet.
The Floor: Make sure you dry up the floor after showers and baths so the floors don’t become a slipping hazard. Floor mats can help, so long as they have an anti-slip element on the bottom to secure the mat.
The Cabinets: Though not necessarily water related, it should be noted that another important way to keep your bathroom safe is to ensure that all cabinets are childproofed and locked. Often, cabinets contain any number of items that can be toxic to a child. This includes medicines, razors and cleaning chemicals that can be deadly in the hands of a child. Locking your cabinets is essential if a child has access to the bathroom.
The Tub: Kids often have playtime in the tub since there are loads of fun
bath toys. For this reason, they may make a beeline for the tub once they have access to the bathroom. It is vitally important that you drain the water from the tub after use. Not only that, you should also remove any toys from the tub that may seem inviting to a curious child. Last, you should remove the drain blocker from the tub when it isn’t in use in case they manage to get the water on in the tub.
