Whether your children are mischievous or naturally curious, it’s necessary to establish boundaries when it comes to behaviors that are destructive to your home. Flushing foreign objects down the toilet may be fun for kids, but it can lead to a clogged drain and more costly damage to your plumbing and septic system. Here is how to help you keep your bathroom safe from a clogged drain.

3 Tips to Child Proof Your Bathroom

1. Have a Conversation

Before you try any other methods, have a calm conversation with your child about the rules of the bathroom. Explain why it’s bad to throw anything but toilet paper down the toilet. Try to reinforce the rules with something relatable; for example, let them know that if they flush their toys down the toilet, the toys will break or won’t come back out.

2. Use Positive Reinforcement

After having the conversation with your child, begin using a sticker chart to track and reward good behavior. Each day your child follows the rules, add a sticker to the chart. At the end of the week, you can reward them with a treat or take them out to the park or a museum.

3. Turn Off the Water Valve

Some children enjoy flushing the toilet because they like the sounds it makes. Putting a pause on the sound may help them lose interest; you can accomplish this by turning the water valve counter clockwise. It’s located behind the toilet. Just be sure to turn it back on before flushing the toilet.

When it’s time to schedule sewer maintenance or repair with a licensed plumber, turn to the team at All Star Rooter in Fairfield, CT. With over 30 years of experience, they can tackle any type of residential or commercial sewer service you need — from sewer and clogged drain repair to maintenance and installation. Give them a call today at (203) 286-4498 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website for more information about their clogged drain remediation services.