Bathroom Rules for Kids

Bathrooms rules teach children about safety and responsibility.

Having children means constantly being on the lookout for dangers lurking around every corner. The bathroom is one of those high-risk areas. Slippery floors, the medicine cabinet, open toilets and glass and mirrors are all dangerous for a young child who doesn't understand logical consequences. Creating a few simple rules will not only keep your children safe, but will provide an early lesson in responsibility as well.

Ask Permission or Inform

If you have very young children, teaching them to ask permission to use the bathroom or to inform you that they are going to the bathroom will help you do two things. First, it will allow you to accompany your child to ensure his safety. Second, it will allow you to reiterate and enforce rules about bathroom safety.

Even if your children are old enough to understand and follow safety rules, they should tell you that they are going to the bathroom so you know their whereabouts. Knowing where they are means you can check up on them if you need to.

Hang Up Towels

Teach your children to hang up their bath towels after they're done with them. Wet towels on the floor means a wet, slippery floor. A wet floor is probably one of the greatest dangers a child can encounter; it can quickly become a slip-and-fall accident that results in serious injury.

Avoid the Medicine Cabinet

Your medicine cabinet may contain prescription medications and over-the-counter medicines that could be fatal to a young child who eats them. Most medicines come with child-proof caps, but even then you don't want your child to think it's OK to play with medicine bottles. Tell children that they should never open a medicine cabinet. If they think there's something in the cabinet they need, they should ask your permission first.

To remove the temptation to explore the medicine cabinet, remove anything your child may want or need. For example, store your child's toothbrush, toothpaste and hair accessories in a drawer or bathroom closet for easy access.

Close the Toilet

Closing the toilet is an important lesson in safety. Small children can easily fall head first into a toilet and drown. Keeping the lid closed at all times can prevent this disaster.

Avoid Horseplay

Most bathrooms have at least one mirror and a glass door enclosing the shower. Instruct your children that the bathroom is no place for running, playing or throwing anything, as they could shatter a mirror or glass and incur serious injury.

References

• Safety ED: Bathroom Safety
• Home Safety Council: Bathroom Safety Tips