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

As a parent, absolutely nothing is more critical than keeping your baby safe. Once your little ones start crawling, it seems like the house is 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—which is one less thing to worry about!

Hands Off Your HVAC Vents and Registers

HVAC grills that fit over the air vents in your residence often prove to be irresistible targets for small children. Here are ways to make sure they are safe:

• Secure registers: If your floor or wall registers fit loosely, screw them in place to make sure children can’t pry them loose.
• Install babyproof vent covers: These use a thin screen to keep small objects from falling inside without hindering airflow throughout your home.

Move the Thermostat Up High

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

• Move the thermostat up high: The thermostat should be installed at a height for adults. Avoid placing chairs near it that could encourage kids to climb up for a closer look.
• Lock down the controls: Some thermostats feature locking functions to prevent anyone from changing the settings. If yours doesn’t have this feature, consider installing a thermostat cover that stops curious kids from adjusting the temperature.

Make the Utility Closet Off Limits

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

• Put on doorknob covers: If a home’s utility area is enclosed, you are in luck. Simply put a childproof cover on the doorknob to stop your kids from opening the the door and accessing your HVAC system.
• Install a safety gate: If your HVAC is in an open area, install a safety gate to block curious crawlers from getting too close to your furnace or water heater.
• Test your carbon monoxide detectors: Every home should have at least one carbon monoxide detector on each floor, especially if you have gas appliances. However, plug-in versions are within reach for kids to access. Consider mounting 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’s how to shield your child from the dangers of hot surfaces:

• Install heat guards: Place a simple baby gate or specially designed heat guard around heat-producing appliances or equipment, baseboard heaters or fireplaces to create a barrier between infants and potentially dangerous hot surfaces.
• Don’t use space heaters: A properly adjusted and maintained heating system should comfortably heat every room in your home, and there should be no need to add a space heater to endanger curious kids.

How to Childproof Your Electric System

We all need electricity in our homes, but power also poses safety hazards for toddlers. Here’s how to secure your home’s electrical setup:

• Use outlet covers: Building code mandates that new receptacles be tamper resistant. If you have older outlets, you can retrofit them with outlet covers. Choose sliding covers instead of plug-in styles, because clever children can sometimes remove the plug-in styles.
• Cover cords: Exposed cords are a hazardous risk. Use cord concealers or secure them along the baseboards. Power strip covers are also important for preventing little fingers from reaching the sockets.
• Keep the electrical panel secured: If your electrical panel is within reach, make sure it’s adequately closed and locked to stop inquisitive kids from touching it.

Safeguard Your Plumbing

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

• Adjust the water temperature: Set your water heater to 120 degrees F to prevent scalding injuries. However, be careful not to turn the temperature down any cooler than this, or you risk microbial growth in the tank.
• Install a faucet cover: Has your baby ever knocked his or her head on the bathtub faucet? Cushioned covers are an easy way to avoid this type of injury.
• Use toilet locks: Babies are often very curious about the toilet. A specialized lock stops little ones from getting covered in unsanitary water or tossing toys inside, which can result in pipe clogs.

Count on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for Reliable HVAC, Plumbing and Electric Service 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 honored to help parents protect their families 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.