Color code hot and cold water taps with nail polish
Amazing how a little change can help kids get what they need on their own. Here's kittenpie's great idea:
My girl understand that red=stop and green=go, so in the bathroom, I have painted (in nail polish for durability) a large red spot on top of the hot water tap, and a large green spot on top of the cold water tap. Now she can wash her hands or have some waterplay without me hovering, because she knows which tap she can use safely and which she can't. I'm a big supporter of more independence! (Oh, the hidden perks of an un-renovated house - I just don't care about those taps!)
Related: LED faucet light "changes water color" when too hot
We did something similar: We put a zip tie on the handle of the cold water faucet. Non permanent in our newly-refinished bathroom.
Posted by: Kate in Iowa | 21 August 2007 at 07:42 AM
We tend to overlook the obvious. Thanks for the great hack.
Posted by: BeingParents | 21 August 2007 at 08:30 AM
I bought the LED faucet attachment from thinkgeek:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/gear/8122/
One for the kitchen, one for the main bathroom. It's great because it changes from blue to red when the water's too hot, and it just flat out looks cool. The only problem we've had is that the kitchen one tends to leak in to the compartment that holds the circuit board, so I've taken it off until I can replace its gasket.
Posted by: Kevin | 21 August 2007 at 09:00 AM
We use a red ponytail holder on the hot water tap to let our daughter know that it is not to be used.
I love the LEDs but I need to keep our hacks low tech! :)
Posted by: tulip | 21 August 2007 at 09:20 AM
Kevin: Thanks for the reminder! We posted about that LED tap a while back. I've added that post as "related" to this one.
Posted by: Parent Hacks Editor | 21 August 2007 at 09:24 AM
I really like the LED one but what if your kids like the color red? lol how would that work?
Posted by: Oh Baby Gifts | 21 August 2007 at 01:27 PM
This is also useful for kitchens that have light switches next to disposal switches. The previous homeowners of our house had painted the disposal switch red -- anyone who visits never touches it.
Posted by: Christy | 21 August 2007 at 06:28 PM
Nice hack with little twist of mind. As mentioned, make sure the water temperature is fine.
Posted by: Abel | 22 August 2007 at 02:05 AM
If your kids are color blind (or not sure but you know it runs in the family) you might want to choose other colors. I know for me, being color blind, red and green wouldn't mean anything to me.
Posted by: Anonymous | 25 August 2007 at 03:11 PM
Or... turn down the temperature on your hot water heater so it isn't hot enough to burn. You'll save energy and your kids hands at the same time.
Posted by: none | 25 August 2007 at 05:23 PM
Good point on the color blindness: 7-10% of western males are red-green color blind, so it's a significant factor and one that parents might not have picked up on. Red & blue may be a better choice?
Posted by: Stef | 25 August 2007 at 05:24 PM
Jim: I've deleted your extremely unhelpful comment. Keep it constructive, please.
Posted by: Parent Hacks Editor | 26 August 2007 at 10:40 AM
I love the idea. :) Maybe even tape a little stop sign above the hot water and a go sign above the cold water. :)
Posted by: Rachelle Goldenberg | 28 August 2007 at 05:28 PM
Great idea! We usually stick a toy rubber cockroach on the things which we forbid them to touch it. haha. I know it sounds crazy.
Posted by: Sue | 31 August 2007 at 12:15 AM