When a baby comes to join the tribe, drastic changes happen within each family member’s life. The parents will now have to take turns taking care of the baby, and the rest gets a change of pace as well. It’s not just the routines that are impacted by the coming of a little angel, but so is the physical setup around the house as baby proofing becomes a dire need to keep the baby safe and secure. Baby proofing is a method of creating an environment or object healthy and sound for babies or children, and to achieve such an ambiance of safety, a few things around the home may need to be tweaked, such as the wall heater. The equipment can get hot to the touch, which can be a hazard for your little one when they’re able on their feet. Here are some tips on how to baby proof a wall heater.
Understanding How Wall Heaters Work
To baby proof the wall heaters correctly, one needs to understand how this device works. Wall heaters are warming tools installed in or attached to walls of homes, hotels, and other establishments. The device can produce a good amount of heat, which makes it great for keeping tiny spaces warm, without consuming floor space. It provides warmth by expelling heated elements into your living space via a wall duct. It’s a necessity in many areas where winter can get cold and so you can’t skip installing one because a baby is joining the family. You only need to learn how to baby proof a wall heater.
Functions of Wall Heaters
The following are benefits of a wall heater:
- Abrupt heating: It warms space within as little as 60-120 seconds to provide you with a warm cozy feeling on otherwise cold, chilly days.
- Great for peripheral heating: Centralized heating can really get expensive on your bill, so to ease electric consumption while keeping your space warm, you can install a wall heater in the nook where you frequent during cold times.
- Allows for temperature control: Modern wall-mounted heaters have a complete temperature-control feature.
- Provides extended warming: The heat the device exudes can last hours after turning the unit off.
- Saves space: Because it’s installed behind walls, it doesn’t use up floor space.
But while wall heaters play such a significant role in keeping spaces heated and comfy, having one at home can go problematic when you start to have little kids that roam around. With inquisitive mind and tiny hands that love to touch everything they set their eyes on, and wall heaters that can get hot to the touch may cause injuries to your kids. Also, your kids may turn complacent after they touch a non-functioning wall heater. To ensure your tots’ safety, childproof your wall heaters. Here are simple tips on how to baby proof a wall heater.
Baby Proofing Wall Heaters
These are the materials that you need to baby proof wall heaters:
- Rubber gloves: You’ll need to use gloves when touch-testing the wall heaters if it gets sweltering.
- Baby gate: This is a non-wall heater specific safety device but can protect your child from wandering near the wall heaters.
- Fireplace screen: It’s another means of keeping children off the wall heaters.
Precaution
Since there is yet no specific device custom-made to protect children from wall heaters, parents may get creative with protective tool ideas. Just be sure that whatever material you use to childproof your wall heaters will not pose a fire danger. Also, before pulling off how to baby proof a wall heater project, take note of the following:
Make sure to clear the area around the wall heater and ascertain there are no combustible objects, such as fabrics, paper products, and ignitable liquids like air fresheners and sanitation products.
Adjust upholstered furniture or move them away as not to trap the outflow of heat, which can build up over time and cause the upholstery to light up.
To be safe, do not put any object within 3 feet from the heater.
Baby Gate and Fire Screen Installation
Before installing these devices, touch test the heater by turning it on and touching it with your gloved hand. If it gets hot, you’ll have to proceed with the installation.
Install the safety gate 3 feet away from the wall heater. This way, the child could not possibly get hold of the heater. Make sure to use one with interlocking features so you can adjust them to fit different angles.
Test if the installation is sturdy and can withstand a child banging or tumbling onto the gate to ensure the gate doesn’t topple.
As another layer of protection, in case your child learns to climb over the gate, install a fireplace screen. You can DIY, or you may call a handyman to do the job.
Conclusion
Even with the coming of a baby, you can still keep purposeful devices at home. There is no need to eliminate items which you deem hazardous for the baby, but are essential for home processes. There is a way to go around household devices such as following these how to baby proof a wall heater tips. You only need to search for the right guide to ensure comfort and convenience while the new person in your home is still little. Get more tips on childproofing.