Babyproofing: HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical Systems

To any loving parent, absolutely nothing is more critical than ensuring your baby’s protection.

When your babies start crawling, your whole living space can seem like one enormous hazard!The HVAC, plumbing and electrical equipment can be especially stressful for parents to think about.

With this comprehensive guide, you can take steps to make sure your home’s important systems are adequately babyproofed for your complete reassurance.

Babyproof Your Home’s HVAC Vents and Registers

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

• Screw down registers: If your ground or vertical registers pop out, screw them in place to ensure they’re not going anywhere.
• Install childproof vent covers: These employ a protective screen to prevent tiny items from entering without restricting airflow.

Make the Thermostat Inaccessible

Little ones are drawn to buttons and screens, so the thermostat is an inviting plaything. Follow these tips to prevent unauthorized temperature fluctuations in your home:

• Move the thermostat out of reach: Your thermostat should be set up at adult eye level. Avoid putting furniture near it that could encourage kids to climb up to try to access it.
• Lock the controls: Some thermostats have built-in child-lock functions to prevent anyone from changing the settings. If yours is missing this feature, you may want to look into installing a thermostat cover that prevents curious kids from changing the temperature.

Lock Down Your Utility Room

If your HVAC system units are situated in the basement or utility closet, this is a key spot for babyproofing. Little ones shouldn’t be in these areas, so follow these tips to keep them safe:

• Add doorknob covers: If the utility area is contained, you have it easy. All you have to do is put a childproof cover on the doorknob to deter your kids from opening the furnace room door.
• Install a safety gate: If your HVAC equipment is in an open area, set up a safety gate to block curious crawlers from getting too close to your furnace or water heater.
• Keep tabs on the carbon monoxide detectors: Every home should have at least one carbon monoxide detector on each floor, especially if you have gas appliances. Unfortunately, plug-in versions are accessible for kids to reach. Consider installing combination CO/smoke detectors or alarms on the ceiling for optimal safety.

Prevent Hot Surface Burns

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

• Implement heat guards: Arrange a straightforward baby gate or specially designed heat guard around heating units to form a barrier between your child and hot surfaces.
• Refrain from using space heaters: A well-maintained heating system should keep you comfortable in every room and there should be no necessity to add a space heater to draw curious kids.

Make Sure Children Are Protected from Electric Equipment and Wiring

Electricity is crucial for modern life but creates safety hazards for kids. Here are tips for how you can secure your home’s electrical setup:

• Install outlet covers: Building code mandates new receptacles to be tamper resistant. If you have older outlets, you can cover them with outlet covers. Use sliding covers instead of the plug-in style, which toddlers can sometimes remove.
• Hide or tape down cords: Exposed cords are a grabbing and chewing hazard. Use cord concealers or tape them down near the baseboards. Power strip covers are also useful for keeping little fingers from reaching the sockets.
• Make sure your electrical panel is locked: If your electrical panel is within reach, it’s a good idea to be sure it’s securely closed and locked to prevent inquisitive kids from playing with it.

Take Advantage of These Plumbing Safety Tips

Babies adore water play. Make sure they remain protected around your sinks, tubs and toilets with these childproof tips for plumbing systems:

• Lower the water temperature: Dial down your water heater to 120 degrees F to avoid 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 baby ever knocked their head on the bathtub faucet? Soft, rubberized covers are an easy way to stop this type of injury.
• Implement toilet locks: Babies are often fascinated with the toilet. A special lock prevents little ones from reaching unsanitary water or tossing toys inside, which can result in pipe clogs.

Partner with Moon Valley Plumbing for Your Home HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical in Phoenix

With these childproofing tips, you can be sure to create a safe environment for the whole family. At Moon Valley Plumbing, we’re proud to help parents protect their little ones with fast, trustworthy HVAC, plumbing and electrical service in Phoenix. We are dedicated to making a significant difference in the lives of every customer we serve.

Contact 602-805-5788 today to get in touch with our team. We’ll make certain your home remains comfortable and secure for everyone.