Why you need to teach your kids to save water

More than ever the inaccessibility to water, in South Africa, has been brought to the spotlight with the outbreak of the Corona virus. Experts have emphasised that part of curbing infections is washing of hands thoroughly but how do you do that when you lack running water? Some schools haven’t been able to reopen after level 5 lockdown due to the lack of water. It’s a sad reality and therefore we must prioritise teaching our children about saving water at a tender age. It is better to start them early on in life so that they can carry this skill through to adulthood. Two years ago, the Western Cape suffered a drought that led to water restrictions that forced residents to think twice about how they use water. The simple and little steps we take with our children go a long way and make a big difference.

An important lesson

When we open our taps, water comes flowing easily that we take it for granted. You can teach your little one from a young age that water is precious and shouldn’t be wasted. They should know that when water is dripping from our taps, they should inform you and make an active effort to conserve water.

Teach your little ones

Here are tips to get your little one started on saving water. It may be simple and little gestures but they have a big impact.

• Set a good example for your child. Don’t let the tap run while you’re brushing your teeth and explain to your children why you’re doing this. Using simple conservation methods like this will not only lower your water bill, you’ll also teach your children to save water.
• Flushing the toilet can seem like a little bit of adventure when you’re little one, but you waste litres of water when you flush unnecessary. Teach your kids to only flush when they really have to.
• Teach your children where water comes from, that although the oceans have plenty of water, it’s not drinkable. If they understand where water comes from and that no one is making more of it, they have a better understanding why they shouldn’t waste it and respect water.
• Teach your children to close the tap properly and not let it leak as this wastes water as well.
• Explain to them why you water your garden once a week.
• Encourage them to take a shower with you instead of insisting on taking a bath. A shower consumes less water and ideally should take four minutes max.
• Your child should not keep the water running as they brush their teeth.
• Teach them your kids that they must reuse, reduce and recycle around the house.