Children in the bathroom

Press, 12 June 1986, Page 15

Children in the bathroom

Everyday, bathrooms are used more than once by each household member. For most users, they are relatively safe, easy to use, and comfortable, but for the young members of the family, bathrooms are tricky and sometimes hazardous areas, says the Plumbing Information Bureau.

They have been designed for able-bodied adult people who can easily reach, turn, adjust, direct, balance and see themselves reflected.

Safety and accessibility, in that order, are the prime considerations in planning a bathroom that will be used by young children.

To ensure the bathroom is safe, you should observe the following points: • Medicine and storage cabinets (especially for cleaning supplies) out of reach and locked.

• Safety latches on other cabinets storing grooming aids.

• Two-way lock on the door.

• Permanent non-skid surfaces on bath and shower. Self-adhesive skid pads are not recommended as they wear off in time, provide little actual skid resistance, and offer a refuge for dirt and bacteria.

• Non-skid floor surfaces: keep floor dry and keep bath mats off the floor when not in use. A rub-ber-backed synthetic carpet mat is often more stable. Avoid wall-to-wall carpet until the risk of excessive water on the floor is past.

• Thermostatically controlled mixing valves and taps are safer and easier to operate than separate hot and cold taps.

• Timer switches on ventilation fans and heaters for automatic shut-off if left on.

• Night light, so child does not stumble in the night.

Providing for easy access to bathroom fixtures and accessories is also all important for the little members of the household. However, standard fixtures and installations are recommended because special installations become obsolete very soon as children outgrow them.

Here are some suggestions on how to make the bathroom more accessible for youngsters:

• Install a pull-out step under the wash basin that can be removed later, or strengthen the bottom drawer of the vanity and upturn it so it serves as a temporary pull-out step.

• Install a hand-held or rod-mounted shower rose that can be lowered to suit the child’s height.

• Affix mirror squares on a wall with tape and move them up until the standard mirror above the vanity becomes visible. • Install towel rails lower, or consider towel rings, pegs or clips because children seldom hang towels tidily on a rail.

• Put children's grooming aids in a low drawer or decorative vanity top holder or mount inside vanity door.

• See that the cistern handle can be easily reached; push-button flush devices are easier for a child to use. Also, provide a child-size toilet seat.

For easy maintenance use durable and repairable surfaces that will withstand spilling, spotting, dripping, and scratching. Wall fixtures need to be strong because children are prone to the occasional swing. Also, a drain in the floor to allow easy run-off in the event of an overflow could “save the day” more than once.

Basically, what bathroom design for children amounts to is a common sense attitude. Look for possible danger areas and

remove or remedy potential hazards. Look also for points of attraction, remember, children are fascinated with anything new.

Be prepared to make adjustments in the room so that it can be used without fuss and bother by your child.

Chances are that by the time your children have outgrown their special needs the bathroom will be ready for redecorating. Towel rails and other wall fixtures can be raised to a normal position and the wall surface repaired and recovered with paint or paper. If you have extra wallpaper stored, a quick repair and a couple of drops hung will make good the room.