PHOENIX — The above video aired on a previous broadcast.
When you think of water safety, most people think of keeping your kids safe around pools, lakes, rivers or oceans. But there are water safety concerns indoors, too.
To alleviate these concerns, here are five ways you can bring water safety indoors to your home.
Door locks & alarms
All doors in your home that lead outside should have child-protective locks. Door locks that are higher than a child’s reach are the most effective; the general rule of thumb is 54 inches to 56 inches.
Make sure that there is not a chair or end table near these doors so that a child cannot access the locks.
Keep keys and combinations nearby, as you may need to get them open in a hurry.
Another option to keep kids safe is to put alarms on your doors — that way when a door is opened, you’ll know.
Window locks
Window locks are a great way to ensure your child does not head outside through a window. If it's not possible to lock all of your windows, put a window lock on all windows that have access to the pool or spa areas of the backyard.
Window guards can restrict window openings to 4 inches and are hard for a child to open, but easy for an adult to open in an emergency. A child can get through a 5-inch opening in a window, door or under a fence.
Window stops also keep a window from opening too far but can be easily opened in an emergency by an adult.
There are safety screens that offer some protection, but screens on windows are not enough protection, you need a lock.
Fountain safety
If you have a fountain in the front or the back, all doors or windows leading to the fountain should have locks, guards or alarms. Fountains can also be protected with web screening when your children are toddlers.
Doggie doors
If you have a doggie door, locking it and monitoring it is a must. Small children can slip through the doggie door and out into the backyard.
Children can also get caught in doggie doors and even choke.
Bathroom safety
Between the bathtub, sink and toilet, there is a lot of water in the bathroom.
Kids love to float their toys in the water wherever they can, including the toilet bowl. But when they lean over the edge of the bowl, they can fall forward and be unable to get themselves out. A toilet lid lock can prevent kids from using the toilet bowl for play.
When bath time rolls around, it is important to ensure you have minimal distractions and are not in a rush. Keep a phone nearby, in case of emergencies, and once bath time is done, drain the water quickly. More than half of infant drownings happen in bathtubs.
Another helpful hint is to keep a list of phone numbers in the bathroom in case of an emergency when you have a babysitter at your home. Include your pediatrician, the closest hospital, your work and cell phone numbers, poison control, a neighbor or relative’s number, and your home address.
Laundry areas
Where you do laundry, there is water, and it is important to make sure that any pails, wash bins or other items of standing water are out of reach from children. A door alarm could be useful in a laundry room, or utilizing a safety gate. Teaching your kids the laundry room is not a play space is also a good way to make sure they stay safe.
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