When you are designing a house, you have to make sure that it is safe for the little ones. However, designing the house to be more child-oriented is not exclusive to the children’s room. All family members use bathrooms, and they, therefore, must be made accessible and safe for everyone.
Children are naturally curious and love to explore and find out new things. But their natural curiosity can sometimes put them in danger, especially in the bathroom. Consequently, it is important to make your bathroom child-friendly to ensure their safety, independence, and comfort.
A bathroom that is safe for children to learn and grow in also encourages them to take care of themselves. Young children often have trouble reaching the sink or toilet, which can lead to accidents and clutters. If you give a child a step stool, they can wash their hands and brush their teeth independently. This helps them develop good hygiene habits and gives them a sense of independence and confidence in their abilities.
Here are a few tips on how to make your bathroom child-friendly.
Reposition the Mirror
Repositioning the mirror is a simple but effective way to make your bathroom more kid-friendly. Children can easily see themselves using the sink or toilet by placing the mirror at a lower height – which can help them develop good hygiene habits and foster a sense of independence. Make sure the dressing table or mirror is either standard height or taller; younger kids may struggle to reach it, but children grow fast, and they will eventually reach a height where they can comfortably see their reflection without a stool, so you don’t have to make any major changes to your bathroom.
However, it is also important to ensure that the mirror is securely attached to the wall and doesn’t pose any danger to kids. Children are often curious and might accidentally knock the mirror over, which could break the glass and hurt them. To prevent this from happening, you may need to use adhesive or safe mounting systems for children, and to keep the mirror in place.
Furthermore, when repositioning the mirror, it is important to consider the overall layout of the bathroom. For example, if the mirror is too low, it might be hard for adults who are taller to use the sink comfortably. Hence, finding a balance that works for both children and adults is important. If you have more than one child, consider installing a double sink to accommodate them simultaneously if the space in the bathroom allows it. Moreover, consider placing a step stool to make it easy for toddlers to stand and reach the sink to wash their hands and brush their teeth.
Toilet Seats and Toilet-lid Locks
Child height toilets are uncomfortable for adults, so always install a standard height toilet. However, if you want to provide more comfort to your children, especially toddlers, you can add a toilet seat made especially for kids; this way, you cannot sacrifice anyone’s comfort. Additionally, since toilets are drowning hazards for toddlers, you can add a lid lock to make the standard adult toilet inaccessible for them.
Toilet lid locks can prevent children from getting into the toilet and falling in or playing with the water. These locks are easy to install and can be a simple but effective way to make the bathroom safer. Also, toilet seats with soft-closing hinges can help prevent injuries and reduce the chance of pinched fingers. Soft-closing hinges allow the seat to close slowly and gently instead of slamming shut. This can prevent accidents and lower noise, which can be helpful if you need to go to the bathroom at night.
It is important to note that even with toilet-lid locks, young children should always be watched when they go to the bathroom, especially when they are very young. Parents and other caretakers should also teach kids about bathroom safety, such as how important it is to wash their hands and not play with the water in the toilet.
A bonus is if you add a high-performance, efficient toilet. An efficient toilet uses the water’s velocity to flush out waste instead of using water volume, which is convenient if several family members take turns on the bathroom back-to-back, seeing as it takes minutes to refill.
Provide Ample Places for Storage
Children are usually messy, and wherever there are children, you are bound to have clutter. For that reason, you might want to set up some cabinets for storage where you can store substances that are not safe for children. Medicines, cleaning supplies, and other things that could be dangerous should always be kept safe and out of the reach of children. By giving these things their own places to be stored, you can help prevent poisoning and other accidents. You can also add for extra safety a cabinet’s lock to ensure that it is inaccessible for young children.
In addition, children often have their own personal hygiene items, like toothbrushes, washcloths, and bath toys; having a place for these items can help keep the bathroom organized and tidy. Installing easy-to-use storage options for kids, like low shelves or cubbies, can help them take care of their own things and help them become more independent. Using colorful baskets or bins can also add a fun and playful touch to the bathroom, which can make it a more fun place for kids to be.
A clever hack is to convert them into slide steps for children to use if you have any drawers. Moreover, children usually have the habit of throwing their wet towels on the bathroom floor because they can’t reach the towel hook, which contributes to cluttering the bathroom. As a solution to this problem, place a multipurpose wall hook that children can easily reach so they can hang their towels after use. Additionally, add different height shelves to the shower or bath enclosure so everyone can get to store their own products without having to leave them scattered on the bathroom counter.
Anti-Slip Surfaces and Water Temperature Control
Slippery surfaces are one of the top hazards that children face in bathrooms, which is why slip-resistant surfaces are important in the bathroom. They keep people from slipping, tripping, and falling, which can be dangerous, especially for young children. Bathrooms are usually wet and slippery because water splashes out of the tub or shower, as well as the use of soap and other products that can make surfaces slick.
Children may run, jump, or play in the bathroom, increasing the risk of an accident. Also, young children may have trouble keeping their balance, especially when getting in and out of the tub or shower. So make sure to use a non-skid mat in the bathtub and the bathroom floor, especially if the floor is not made of a slip-resistant surface. Additionally, you will need to place absorbent rugs or bath mats around the toilet and sink.
Several studies have shown that children are most likely to suffer from severe burns due to hot water in the bathroom. So, it is always advised to install an anti-scalding controller in your water heater, limiting the amount of hot water that flows through the faucets. These devices will keep your children safe from any scalding accidents. Adjusting the water temperature in the bathroom is important to avoid accidental burns. Putting a thermostatic valve on your shower or bathtub can help you control the temperature of the water and keep you and your child from getting scalded. This kind of valve allows you to set a maximum temperature for the water, which helps ensure it doesn’t get too hot.
It is also important to teach kids how to stay safe around water. Children should be taught to never turn on the hot water by themselves and to always ask an adult for help if they need to change the temperature. Before letting kids get in the bath or shower, parents and caregivers should always check the water temperature to make sure it is safe and comfortable. You can do this with a bath thermometer or just by putting your hand in the water.
Making Bathtubs More Practical
Shower stalls don’t take up much space in your bathroom, which might tempt you to install it instead of a bathtub. However, if you have a toddler, it will be very hard to bathe them in a shower stall. A bathtub is always the more practical option in a child-friendly bathroom.
Besides, you can make the bathtub more practical by using a showerhead and a cushioned cover over the faucet to protect them if they bump their head against it. Additionally, consider adding a step stool so the little ones can easily climb the bathtub. With that being said, you should always opt for non-porous materials to help combat mildew so it can be easier for you to clean, seeing as mold and mildew can be hazardous to children.
Furthermore, bathtub dividers can also be useful in reducing the amount of water that splashes out of the tub, making it easier to keep the bathroom dry and safe. For children with mobility issues, a bathtub with a door can make it easier to get in and out of the tub while also providing a safe and comfortable bathing experience. Additionally, bathtub toys and accessories can make bath time more fun and engaging for children.
Many people think that by child-proofing their bathrooms, they are making it child-friendly; however, it’s not enough. The design of the bathroom itself and everything in it has to have children’s needs in mind. Moreover, adding these small additions ensures that this bathroom will remain practical in the long run without having to remodel when your children grow up. Make sure to use the tips mentioned above for a child-friendly bathroom so the little ones in your family can stay safe.