Children seem to be naturally fascinated by the toilet and its ability to make objects disappear as if by magic. Unfortunately, this fascination can result in major water damage and potentially expensive plumbing repairs if they decide to flush a toy or other item. While teaching your children the rules of household plumbing is the best long-term goal, the tips below will help you avoid unexpected disasters until they’re old enough to understand how to properly use the toilet.

Preventing Children From Flushing Objects Down the Toilet

Install a Lock on the Lid

Many plumbing supply stores offer simple, cost-effective locks designed to keep children from opening the lid. Most of these devices are simple enough for adults to operate quickly and easily, but too complex for very young children to figure out.

Lock the Handle

If a locked toilet lid is too inconvenient, consider installing a child lock for the handle instead. Most of these devices mount on the toilet underneath the handle, and can usually be installed in seconds. If your toilet handle has an unusual configuration, ask a plumbing repair professional to recommend a device that will work with your fixture.

Install Child Locks on Bathroom Doors

Most bathrooms contain several water fixtures, hard surfaces, and dangerous chemicals, and children with unlimited access to this room can seriously injure themselves. Child locks on the bathroom door are inexpensive, easy to install, and can prevent life-threatening injuries and expensive plumbing repairs.

For over 20 years, Withamsville Winnelson has been one of Cincinnati’s leading suppliers of plumbing parts, supplies, and fixtures. Contractors, homeowners, and plumbing professionals alike can rely on them for high-quality components from some of the industry’s top manufacturers. Whether you’re involved in a plumbing repair or installation project, visit their website or call (513) 753-1121 to see how they can help, follow their Facebook for tips and updates, or just visit their showroom today.