Ways to Childproof Your HVAC

Part of keeping your little ones safe at home means knowing what can hurt them. And when it comes to your HVAC system, there are plenty of ways your children can be put in harm’s way. So in honor of Child Safety Protection Month, keep your kids safe at home by learning how to protect them from your heating and cooling.

Secure your vents. It’s easy for your child to lift your floor vents if you don’t secure the covers properly. To child-proof them, screw or nail your vent covers into the floor. For extra precaution, you can also place a screen over them. Another option that doesn’t involve nails is to use velcro to keep them down.

Place thermostats and units high up. Turning the thermostat too high or the AC too low can not only damage your HVAC system, but it can also be a hazard to you and your child’s health. If you have small children at home, be sure to install your indoor units and thermostats high enough so that they’re out of reach.

Protect outdoor unit. It’s also important to block off your outdoor HVAC unit, as there are many wires and sharp edges that can cause injury. If your child touches any of these parts, there’s a lot that can go wrong. So block off your unit with shrubs or a locked fence to be on the safe side.

Keep remotes out of reach. For any and all of your units, don’t let remote controls go out of sight and into your child’s hands. If they do, your little one can unintentionally break the unit. So place remote controls in drawers or on shelves where your child can’t find them or ponder the idea of playing with them.

Remember that childproofing your HVAC system all depends on a child’s age and size. Consider the above options and give your professional HVAC technician a call if you’re unsure about anything. If you’re in the Naperville area, contact Leslie Heating and Cooling by calling (630) 576-9235 or visiting us on the web to learn more about how to keep your children safe at home.