Child Safety Tips: Childproof Your Home HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical Systems 

As a parent, nothing is more critical than keeping your baby safe. When your little ones start crawling, it seems like the whole house feels like one big hazard! The HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems are very concerning. With this guide from the Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, you can make sure your home’s essential systems are properly babyproofed—giving you one less thing to worry about!

Make HVAC Vents and Registers Off Limits

HVAC covers that fit over the air vents throughout your residence often prove to be irresistible exploration opportunities for small children. Here are ways to make sure they are safe:

• Screw down registers: If your floor or wall registers fit loosely, screw them in place so they won’t come off.
• Install some vent covers: These use a small grid to keep small objects from falling inside without blocking airflow throughout your residence.

Block Access to the Thermostat

Kids are attracted to buttons and screens, which makes the thermostat a potentially inviting plaything. Follow these tips to prevent curious toddlers from creating temperature control problems in your home:

• Place the thermostat out of reach: The thermostat should be installed at a height for adults. Avoid placing objects near it that could invite kids to climb up for a closer look.
• Lock down the controls: Some thermostats feature locking functions to stop anyone from changing the settings. If yours doesn’t have this feature, consider installing a thermostat cover that prevents curious kids from adjusting the temperature.

Block Access to HVAC and Mechanical Room Equipment

If your HVAC system is located in your home’s cellar or utility closet, this is a very important place for babyproofing. These are no places for [babies|children|infants or toddlers|any child}, so follow these tips to ensure they are safe:

• Put on doorknob covers: If the utility area is enclosed, you have an easy task. Just put a childproof cover on the doorknob to prevent your kids from opening the door to get inside.
• Set up a safety gate: If your HVAC is in an open area, set up a safety gate to stop intrepid crawlers from getting too close to your furnace or water heater.
• Inspect the carbon monoxide detectors: Every residence should have at least one carbon monoxide detector on every level, especially if you have gas appliances. However, plug-in versions are within reach for kids to reach. Consider placing combination CO/smoke detectors on the ceiling for maximum safety.

Follow These Tips to Prevent Burn Injuries

In many homes, the threat of burn injuries isn’t restricted to the utility room. Here are tips on how to keep your child from the dangers of hot surfaces:

• Install heat guards: Place a simple baby gate or specially designed heat guard around radiators, baseboard heaters or fireplaces to form a barrier between your child and potentially dangerous hot surfaces.
• Stop using space heaters: A properly adjusted and serviced heating system should comfortably heat every room in your home, and there should be no requirement to use a space heater to tempt curious kids.

Tips for Babyproofing Your Home Electric System and Equipment

We all need electricity in our homes, but electricity also poses safety hazards for kids. Here’s how to babyproof your home’s electric equipment and wiring:

• Install outlet covers: Building code mandates that new receptacles be tamper resistant. If you have older outlets, you can update them by using outlet covers. Choose secured covers instead of plug-in styles, because determined toddlers can sometimes pull off the plug-in styles.
• Tape down cords: Exposed cords are a pulling risk. Use cord concealers or fasten them along the baseboards. Power strip covers are also effective for preventing little fingers from reaching the sockets.
• Keep the electrical panel closed: If your electrical panel is somewhat low to the ground, make sure it’s adequately closed and locked to stop inquisitive kids from playing with it.

Make Sure Your Plumbing Is Safe

Babies love water. That’s why it’s so crucial to make sure they stay safe around home plumbing fixtures like sinks, tubs and toilets. Try these childproofing tips for plumbing systems:

• Control the water temperature: Turn your water heater to 120 degrees F to prevent scalding injuries. However, be careful not to turn the temperature down any lower than that, because this could risk microbial growth in the tank.
• Use a faucet cover: Has your baby ever hit her or his head on the bathtub faucet? Cushioned covers are a quick and easy way to avoid this type of injury.
• Use toilet locks: Babies are often fascinated by the toilet. A specialized lock keeps little ones from accessing unsanitary water or tossing toys inside, which can lead to pipe clogs.

Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for HVAC, Plumbing or Electrical Services in the U.S.

With these childproofing tips, you can confidently create a secure environment in your home. At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we’re proud to help parents protect their little ones with fast HVAC, plumbing and electrical services in the U.S.. We are dedicating to making a meaningful difference in the lives of every customer we serve—even the little ones! Contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing at 866-397-3787 today for top-notch workmanship and customer service.