How to Babyproof Your Furnace, Air Conditioner and Electrical Systems

To any loving parent, absolutely nothing is more essential than ensuring your baby’s well-being.

As soon as your little ones start crawling, your home can seem like one massive hazard!Your home’s HVAC, plumbing and electrical equipment can be particularly problematic.

By following this guide, you can ensure your home’s important systems are thoroughly babyproofed for your complete reassurance.

Keep Fingers and Toes Out of HVAC Vents and Registers

Air vent covers that are installed in the air vents throughout your home are frequently targets for tiny fingers and toes. Here are ways to ensure your child’s safety:

• Secure registers: If your floor or wall registers easily detach, secure them firmly with screws to ensure they’re not going anywhere.
• Add childproof vent covers: These utilize a protective screen to keep small objects from falling inside without impeding airflow.

Keep Small Hands Away from the Thermostat

Kids are fascinated by buttons and screens, so the thermostat is a tempting plaything. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected temperature fluctuations in your residence:

• Move the thermostat out of reach: Your thermostat should be mounted at adult eye level. Refrain from placing furniture near it that could entice kids to climb up for a closer look.
• Lock the controls: Some thermostats include child-lock functions to prevent anyone from changing the settings. If yours is missing this feature, think about installing a thermostat cover that prevents curious kids from changing the temperature.

Lock Down Your Utility Room

If your HVAC system units are located in the basement or utility closet, this is a crucial place to target for babyproofing. Little ones shouldn’t be in these areas, so use these tips to keep them safe:

• Install doorknob covers: If the utility closet is in a closed-off area or separate room, you have it easy. All you have to do is place a childproof cover on the doorknob to prevent your kids from opening the furnace room door.
• Use a safety gate: If your HVAC equipment is in an open area, position a safety gate to keep curious crawlers from getting near your heating equipment or water heater.
• Keep tabs on the carbon monoxide detectors: Every residence should have at least one carbon monoxide detector on each floor, especially if you have gas appliances. Unfortunately, plug-in versions are simple for kids to reach. Think about installing combination CO/smoke detectors or alarms on the ceiling for additional safety.

Avoid Hot Surface Burns

In many homes, heat sources aren’t confined to the utility room. Here’s how to protect your child from hot surfaces:

• Implement heat guards: Arrange a basic baby gate or specially designed heat guard around heaters to establish a barrier between your child and hot surfaces.
• Refrain from using space heaters: A well-maintained heating system should ensure coziness in every room and there should be little reason to add a space heater to entice curious kids.

Prioritize Babyproofing Your Home’s Electrical System

Electricity is crucial for modern life but poses safety hazards for kids. Here’s how to secure your home’s electrical setup:

• Use outlet covers: Building code stipulates new receptacles to be tamper resistant. If you have older outlets, you can upgrade them with outlet covers. Use sliding covers rather than plug-in style, which toddlers can sometimes detach.
• Tuck away or tape down cords: Exposed cords are a tugging and chewing hazard. Utilize cord concealers or tape them down near the baseboards. Power strip covers are also useful for keeping little fingers from reaching the sockets.
• Keep the electrical panel locked: If your electrical panel is within reach, it’s a good idea to be sure it’s tightly shut and locked to prevent inquisitive kids from playing with it.

Follow These Plumbing Safety Tips

Babies really enjoy water play. Make sure they remain protected around your sinks, tubs and toilets with these safety tips for plumbing:

• Adjust the water temperature: Configure your water heater to 120 degrees F to stop scalding at the tap. Just avoid going any cooler than this, or you could encourage microbial growth in the tank.
• Add a faucet cover: Has your infant ever hit their head on the bathtub faucet? Soft, rubberized covers are an easy way to avoid this type of injury.
• Buy toilet locks: Babies are often captivated with the toilet. A special lock prevents little ones from accessing unsanitary water or dropping toys inside, which can result in pipe clogs.

Schedule Columbia HVAC, Plumbing or Electrical Services with Ken Griffin Plumbing Services

With these safety tips, you can confidently create a safe environment for the whole family. At Ken Griffin Plumbing Services, we’re proud to help parents protect their little ones with quick, dependable HVAC, plumbing and electrical service in Columbia. We strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of every customer we serve.

Contact 410-992-5875 today to get in touch with our team. We’ll ensure your home continues to be comfortable and secure for everyone.