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Children can encounter a portable toilet at home during a party or in the midst of a home construction project. The unusual structure can interest curious children or even frighten some nervous youngsters. Use caution with your young children around the toilets to avoid any unpleasant mishaps and to keep everyone safe and comfortable.

A portable bathroom in your yard is a curiosity to young children. Have the toilet placed on level ground because a portable toilet is a tipping hazard that could cause severe injury or death if it were to fall on someone. Additionally, put the toilet away from the house and play areas. A private corner for the toilet will keep visits private and unwanted odors away.

Use a secure temporary fence to keep the area off-limits to young children without adult supervision. Consider exterior locks on the toilet if a fence is not possible. A padlock can secure the unit from the outside and prevent any unauthorized use overnight.

Use a bathroom attendant during a party, like a rotation of family members that stay nearby, to help keep away curious kids. Most children will have no interest in the unit when so much is happening elsewhere, but incidents can happen around bored children and wandering toddlers.

About 800 American childrendie by drowning each year. Some of those deaths occur when toddlers, fascinated by the water, fall into shallow water (such as a bucket or toilet) and lack the coordination to pull themselves out. The deep reservoir in a portable bathroom could cause injuries after a fall too. The toilets often hold hazardous chemicals to control odor, and these also put children at risk.

Never allow toddlers and young children to use a portable toilet on their own. A child should be old enough to not fool around once inside and strong enough to pull themselves up on the seat safely. Supervise any child unable to carry out this task. Only older children with enough strength to control a climbing child should supervise when adults cannot.

Another concern is the size of the opening compared to the size of the child. A very petite child could slip through even if they have the coordination and strength to manage the task alone. Parents should remain outside the door in case a child takes too long or calls out for help. A travel toilet seat, designed for use by children in public restrooms, could prevent slips.

Any bathroom could cause the spread of disease, but portable restrooms typically have a larger variety of users than a home bathroom and fewer cleanings. The surfaces in portable toilets can have:

• Shigella bacteria
• E. coli
• Streptococcus
• Hepatitis A viruses
• Cold viruses

While portable toilets are not likely to make anyone sick, young children can have more fragile immune systems than adults. You’re better off if you take a few precautions.

Regularly clean any units that stay on your property. Keep the restrooms well-stocked in seat liners, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and paper towels. Inform children that the same rules apply for hand washing when using an outdoor bathroom as they do for indoor facilities.

Portable toilets keep homes cleaner and more private during a large backyard event. A rental also enables families to have a bathroom as a home renovation takes place. The units offer convenience, and a little supervision ensures everyone stays safe. At Gotta Go Site Service Rentals, we offer clean, modern units for any event. Contact us for pricing or more information about how we can help you.