How would you childproof these?

[snowyowl]

We have these electric heaters around the house. We want to childproof the ones in the kids bedroom before we move DS1 into a toddler bed.


I can’t find much online about a way to make them safe and also use them, but chilly rooms will have to be a problem for another day. Now I’m just trying to figure out the best way to cover them so they don’t have sharp edges and the kids can’t stick their hands in them.

[petrichor]

We had something similar growing up but I was 4 when we moved into that house so the fear of God was put in me about not touching them.

I did get burnt once when I tossed my coat on the floor next to the heater and my zipper pull went in the heater. I picked it up not realizing how hot it would be and burned my finger pretty badly.

With a toddler I'd be tempted to put a large piece of furniture such as a dresser or bookcase in front of it (but not up against it, of course).

[AmyG]

I know my mom took the knobs off and would only put them back on when she needed to turn them on or off. Strategically placed furniture in the season they woukdnt need to be used. And baby or puppy enclosed fencing like barrier or fireplace screen barrier wheb they had to be on with young one in the room.

[shellbell]

Can you put something in front of it?

[spicysalmonroll]

You can build a wood box around it with vent holes/slits. I believe home Depot sells similar called radiator covers

[shellbell]

Cover them?

[GhoatMonket]

Will these fit on them? It should at least help with the sharp corners and open holes issue.

www.amazon.com/Baseboarders%C2%AE-Length-DELUXE-Baseboard-Heater/dp/B00C8WFKW6

[coconutbacon]

Can you use a cover like this? ezsnapcovers.com/?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6MHdBRCtARIsAEigMxGAp7mO2KlF5O54TvGV2-j9sVfYpXQpuVfCfa1MAewEI1B6pV-trSEaAi2ZEALw_wcB

[snowyowl]

A lot of the covers I found seemed shockingly expensive. Don’t really want to spend over $100 per cover 😬 Though at first glance, those EZ Snap ones coconutbacon posted seem reasonable. I guess I should really go wander around Home Depot and see if I spot anything that works. A fireplace screen might be a solution.

Furniture in front of them is a backup plan, but all the radiators are under windows. I’m nervous about putting a bed or a couch under a window, because they’d be able to reach the lock when they’re a little older/taller. The other types of furniture are tall and would partially block the window, and when I measured I found I wouldn’t be able to follow the furniture anchor strap directions properly.

[spicysalmonroll]

How old are they? I wouldn't worry about "when they get taller they can reach the window lock" because by 2.5 they'll pretty much understand not to touch the heater and it won't be an issue anymore.

[Pistol]

Sept 30, 2018 13:37:57 GMT -6 snowyowl said:

A lot of the covers I found seemed shockingly expensive. Don’t really want to spend over $100 per cover 😬 Though at first glance, those EZ Snap ones coconutbacon posted seem reasonable. I guess I should really go wander around Home Depot and see if I spot anything that works. A fireplace screen might be a solution.

Furniture in front of them is a backup plan, but all the radiators are under windows. I’m nervous about putting a bed or a couch under a window, because they’d be able to reach the lock when they’re a little older/taller. The other types of furniture are tall and would partially block the window, and when I measured I found I wouldn’t be able to follow the furniture anchor strap directions properly.

If it’s a budget issue, I’d probably just do the one in their room for now and as money allows work on the rest. Starting with rooms they are most likely to be unsupervised.

[spicysalmonroll]

For a cheaper option too, these stretch out in a straight line to block areas off. Like I said, just use for 1-2 years then you prob won't need them anymore.

[emma]

Sept 30, 2018 16:56:26 GMT -6 spicysalmonroll said:

How old are they? I wouldn't worry about "when they get taller they can reach the window lock" because by 2.5 they'll pretty much understand not to touch the heater and it won't be an issue anymore.

Yes this ^^. We have them and moved in when DS was 3, he absolutely knows not to touch them ever

[snowyowl]

Sept 30, 2018 16:56:26 GMT -6 spicysalmonroll said:

How old are they? I wouldn't worry about "when they get taller they can reach the window lock" because by 2.5 they'll pretty much understand not to touch the heater and it won't be an issue anymore.

The older one turned two in June and the younger one is 7 months. I’m probably extra about the windows because I’m afraid of heights. One of those weird little parenting paranoias.
The two year old is pretty uninterested in the radiators already and I don’t think he would touch them if I told him not too. I’m actually more concerned with how sharp the corners and edges are. Accidentally falling and scratching or cutting themselves is more my concern than the heat.
The younger one has an uncanny ability to roll at top speed towards the sharpest, hardest objects in any room, but he’s always supervised or in a crib at least.

[klondike]

Are you handy at all? I'd personally make a box frame from my scrap wood, paint & add an aluminum grate sheet on the front. Pretty easy & cheap.

[snowyowl]

Sept 30, 2018 19:18:26 GMT -6 klondike said:

Are you handy at all? I'd personally make a box frame from my scrap wood, paint & add an aluminum grate sheet on the front. Pretty easy & cheap.

Not remotely, but I am good at putting together ikea-style furniture as long as I have instructions 😁 If it comes to it, I might ask someone at the hardware store for guidance. Making a box frame can’t be totally beyond me...

[klondike]

snowyowl, what are the dimensions of the heater

[Pistol]

Sept 30, 2018 20:12:18 GMT -6 snowyowl said:

Sept 30, 2018 19:18:26 GMT -6 klondike said:

Are you handy at all? I'd personally make a box frame from my scrap wood, paint & add an aluminum grate sheet on the front. Pretty easy & cheap.

Not remotely, but I am good at putting together ikea-style furniture as long as I have instructions 😁 If it comes to it, I might ask someone at the hardware store for guidance. Making a box frame can’t be totally beyond me...

If you can get me the dimensions I might be able to draw you up some instructions. If you go to Lowe’s to get wood, they’ll cut the pieces down for you. Or so I’ve heard. I’ve never done it before.

[AmyG]

My dad was a woodworker by trade and he never built wood covers for the baseboard heaters in their house. Because some brands of the heaters get so hot and the close contact to stained or painted wood was a possible fire hazard.

I would proceed cautiously in a diy project

[Pistol]

Sept 30, 2018 21:18:48 GMT -6 AmyG said:

My dad was a woodworker by trade and he never built wood covers for the baseboard heaters in their house. Because some brands of the heaters get so hot and the close contact to stained or painted wood was a possible fire hazard.

I would proceed cautiously in a diy project

This is true. I didn’t think about it getting too hot.

[millimeter314]

They have some at Lowes, NeatHeat brand. It is $40 for a 6 foot section.

[snowyowl]

Sept 30, 2018 21:18:48 GMT -6 AmyG said:

My dad was a woodworker by trade and he never built wood covers for the baseboard heaters in their house. Because some brands of the heaters get so hot and the close contact to stained or painted wood was a possible fire hazard.

I would proceed cautiously in a diy project

Yea, this is part of the reason that I’m having trouble finding something. I guess the water heaters don’t get hot enough to be unsafe, but electric ones like ours do so they need very specific covers (that will still conduct a lot of heat, but won’t be sharp and rusty). If I did wood covers or put furniture against them we wouldn’t use the heaters in those rooms. We have a gas stove in the middle of the house that does a good job of heating the house for most of they year, and we only use the electric in the coldest parts of the winter. But still, that would be a pain.
I’m going to look into neat heat and brands like that first, then move to finding solutions where we can’t use the heaters.

I really appreciate the help, everyone. Replacing the heating in the house is very high on my projects to save for list.

[AmyG]

I would probably get an inexpensive long/curved fireplace screen and put it around it, secured to wall with screws or heavy duty command strips and call it good since you don't use them very often and it's just a short time period where kids will potentially mess with them.

[swivelchair5]

We had something similar when I was a kid. I knew not to touch them, but the one in my room was blocked by a bed. I dropped a bunch of plastic toys or something in the crevice between the bed and the wall and they started melting and smelling and my mom was really not happy with me. So I would go with a solution that blocks the top and the sides.

[Deleted]

I’m with AmyG that you have to be really careful because of it being electric heat. I’d look at an angled baby gate like a hearth gate and see if that would work.

[piratecat]

We have the same problem with an electric baseboard on our porch, which also serves as our play room, and the baseboard is the only source of heat. We have been working with our 16 MO on not touching it but the heat hasn't been on yet and I'm trying to decide whether we can just continue reinforcing not touching it or if I need to be more proactive and cover it. I think in general they say 12" above and 6" in front of the heater to combustibles so with enough ventilation and clearance a wood cover could work. I'd have to double check our specific heater.

Also, if you do end up putting furniture in front of it and are worried about your windows, you could install sash limiters.