Although many homeowners probably don’t consider their HVAC system to be dangerous, the truth is that injuries can occur to small children. Plus, kids can cause problems to the systems, so it’s best to keep them away from each other. Here are some quick tips to ensure HVAC safety around children:
Keep Thermostats out of Reach
Cranking up your thermostat too much or turning it down more than necessary will not only waste energy, but can harm your HVAC system. This means you certainly don’t want children to reach the thermostat and start messing with it. Each control unit should be far above a child’s reach and away from anything they might be able to climb on to get to it.
Secure the Vents
Many vents aren’t too tough to get into and will often become loosened over time. A kid could get his or her fingers pinched by a vent that they’re trying to pry up, so make sure they’re secure.
Switch to Plastic
Even if a child isn’t successul in prying up a vent, the metal ones have sharp corners that can cut their fingers and hands. The safe thing to do is to switch to plastic, which is safer for them to be around.
Cover the Outdoor HVAC Unit
Outdoor units present a danger to children since they’re made of metal and have sharp corners. When kids are running around outside, it’s easy for accidents to happen. The best course of action is to either cover the unit or construct a barrier of some kind to keep children away from it.
Keep HAVC Apps Away from Them
Going back to what we were saying about keeping thermostats out of a kid’s reach, you should also consider the fact that newer models are controlled by a phone app. So, you should control their access to your phone, too.
For more expert advice on HVAC safety, or if you have any other concerns related to home comfort, please contact the friendly professionals at CCAC. We’ve been serving the needs of Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas since 1979.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about your HVAC system, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.