How to Babyproof Your Furnace, Air Conditioner and Electrical Systems

As a devoted caregiver, absolutely nothing is more important than keeping your baby’s protection.

Once your infants start crawling, the entire house can seem like one massive hazard!Your home’s HVAC, plumbing and electrical equipment can be particularly worrisome.

By following this guide, you can make sure your home’s important systems are properly babyproofed for your peace of mind.

Keep Fingers and Toes Out of HVAC Vents and Registers

HVAC registers that protect the air vents throughout your home are often targets for tiny fingers and toes. Here are ways to make them safe:

• Screw down registers: If your base or side registers easily detach, use screws to fasten them down to ensure they’re not going anywhere.
• Cover registers with childproof vent covers: These employ a mesh safety barrier to block little things from dropping in without restricting airflow.

Keep Small Hands Away from the Thermostat

Children are captivated by buttons and screens, so the thermostat is a tempting plaything. Follow these tips to avoid unauthorized temperature changes in your residence:

• Position the thermostat up higher: Your thermostat should be mounted at adult eye level. Don’t position furniture near it that could tempt kids to climb up to try to access it.
• Use child-lock functions in the controls: Some thermostats include child-lock capabilities to keep anyone from adjusting the settings. If yours doesn’t have this feature, consider installing a thermostat cover that prevents curious kids from changing the temperature.

Keep Baby Out of the Utility Closet

If your HVAC system units are positioned in the basement or utility closet, this is a crucial spot for babyproofing. Young children shouldn’t be in these areas, so use these tips to keep them safe:

• Add doorknob covers: If the utility closet is contained, you have it easy. Simply put a childproof cover on the doorknob to prevent your kids from opening the furnace room door.
• Install a safety gate: If your HVAC equipment is in an open area, position a safety gate to keep curious crawlers from getting next to your heating equipment or water heater.
• Check the carbon monoxide detectors: Every residence should have at least one carbon monoxide detector on each floor, particularly if you have gas appliances. Unfortunately, socket versions are simple for kids to reach. An alternative is 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 shield your child from hot surfaces:

• Install heat guards: Position a simple baby gate or specially designed heat guard around heaters to create a barrier between your child and hot surfaces.
• Refrain from using space heaters: A properly tuned heating system should keep you comfortable in every room and there should be little reason to add a space heater to draw curious kids.

Prioritize Electrical Babyproofing

Electricity is vital for modern homes but presents safety hazards for kids. Here are tips for how you can childproof your home’s electrical setup:

• Use outlet covers: Building code mandates new receptacles to be tamper resistant. If you have older outlets, you can retrofit them with outlet covers. Use sliding covers instead of the plug-in style, which toddlers can sometimes dislodge.
• Tuck away or tape down cords: Exposed cords are a pulling and chewing hazard. Use cord concealers or tape them down along the baseboards. Power strip covers are also useful for stopping little fingers from reaching the sockets.
• Lock up your home’s electrical panel: If your electrical panel is within reach, it’s a good idea to be sure it’s securely closed and locked to deter inquisitive kids from playing with it.

Follow These Plumbing Safety Tips

Babies really enjoy water play. Be Sure they stay safe around your sinks, tubs and toilets with these safety tips for home plumbing and plumbing fixtures:

• Adjust the water temperature: Dial down your water heater to 120 degrees F to prevent scalding at the tap. Just don’t go any cooler than this, or you could encourage microbial growth in the tank.
• Attach a faucet cover: Has your child ever bumped their head on the bathtub faucet? Soft, rubberized covers are an simple way to prevent this type of injury.
• Use toilet locks: Toddlers are often intrigued with the toilet. A special lock deters little ones from getting into unsanitary water or throwing toys inside, which can lead to pipe clogs.

Trust Crawford Services for HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical Service in Dallas & Fort Worth

With these safety tips, you can be sure to create a secure environment for the whole family. At Crawford Services, we’re pleased to help parents protect their little ones with fast, reliable HVAC, plumbing and electrical service in Dallas & Fort Worth. We are dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of every customer we serve.

Dial 469-523-7406 today to reach our team. We’ll ensure your home remains comfortable and secure for everyone.