How To Baby Proof Radiators
If you live in a cold climate, chances are good that your home has a radiator to warm the house during the fall and winter. You may not think much of the radiator until your baby is starting to move around more and explore your home.
Since most radiators sit on the wall near the floor, they may become an object that catches your adventurous baby’s eye.
If you’re like many fellow parents who see their baby near the radiator for even a second and go into panic mode, keep reading! This post shares how to baby proof radiators without breaking the bank or making any major adjustments to your home.
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Baby Proof Radiator Covers
Here are a few high-quality radiator covers that will keep your baby out of harm’s way.
ReadyCovers EZ Connect Cover
This radiator cover checks all the boxes for concerned parents. It creates a barrier between the radiator and your child, preventing them from getting close enough to touch it.
Babies have fairly short attention spans, so the goal with covering the radiator is that your baby will lose interest quickly and look for something else to explore.
Why we like it
- Affordable price point
- Can be used for other units in the home
- Comes in two colors to match your decor
- Tiles connect at straight and right angles for easy assembly
- Vented tile design stays cool to the touch
- The design is clean and easy to look at
Related post: How to babyproof floor heaters
vidaXL Radiator Cover
The vidaXL cover is sleek, chic, and very unassuming.
It comes in a variety of colors and sizes, making it an easy fix for a radiator of any size. This cover is made from engineered wood and has a modern pattern that doubles as a vent to let the radiator breathe through the cover.
It’s a stylish, practical piece that can also be used to display photos and other trinkets in your home.
Why we like it
- Stylish, modern look
- Still affordable when compared to custom covers
- Great options in size and color
- Quick and basic assembly
RPFF Wooden Decorative Radiator Cover
This decorative radiator cover is made from soft, durable wood. It’s multifunctional and easy to install. It can be used as an outdoor plant stand in the warmer months and then moved indoors for the colder seasons.
The lattice design on each side of this cover creates the ventilation needed for the radiator to properly disperse heat inside the home.
Why we like it
- Multifunctional; ideal for indoor and outdoor use
- Stylish, modern look
- Comes in a variety of sizes
- Made with durable, anti-rust materials
Related post: How to babyproof a fireplace
Foam and Padded Radiator Covers
Foam padding can be very helpful when it comes to preventing babies from injuring themselves on sharp edges.
M2cbridge Safety Bumper
These padded safety bumpers are made of foam and rubber and absorb the impact and protect your child from the sharp pointy edges of the radiator.
These foam safety bumpers will deter your child from getting too close to the radiator and potentially harming themselves; while it won’t keep them touching the unit entirely, the foam will prevent any injuries that could come from colliding with any of the edges.
Why we like it
- Nice color options to match your home’s decor
- Multi-purpose; it can be used on furniture and other items in the home
- Made of premium, high-density foam
- Easy application and wipe to clean
- Great price point
Related post: How to babyproof base board heaters
Radiator Corner Foam Protection
These padded radiator guards are installed on the sides of the radiator in order to prevent your baby from bumping into the unit or burning herself on its hot surface.
Why we like it
- Made from non-toxic, thick foam
- Material is fireproof
- Easy assembly and removal
- Variety of colors
- Air evacuation system allows the radiator to operate normally
DIY Radiator Cover
If you’re handy and up for the challenge, this IKEA hack DIY radiator cover is a brilliant way to create an aesthetically pleasing space in your home that simultaneously protects tiny, curious hands from the heating unit.
If you’re eager to take the DIY route, check out this blog post for some creative ways you can cover the radiator without making it more of an eyesore than it already is.
Related post: how to babyproof stairs with banisters
How To Cover Hot Radiator Pipes
Radiators are often accompanied by steaming-hot pipes that pose just as much danger as the heating unit itself. There are a few ways you can disguise these hot pipes, including the following:
- Box the pipes in using straight pieces of wood to conceal them entirely
- Install skirting boards with recessed backing on the floor to cover the pipes
How To Baby Proof Floor Radiators
It may seem overwhelming to try and babyproof your entire home, but we’ve found that doing so one room at a time makes it feel less stressful and much more manageable. Radiators are particularly important in the fall and winter, so you may have a little time before you need to tackle this beast!
The best way to babyproof floor radiators is to safely cover them or keep them out of reach of your children.
Whether you block off that area of the room where the radiator sits or keep your child in a playpen, whatever keeps their tiny hands away from the radiator is the best strategy to take.
If you’re in need of a quick fix, this baby gate barrier is an effective way to prevent your baby from reaching the radiator and potentially burning herself. Most baby gates are portable and can be quickly installed around the house depending on your needs.
Do you lose heat with radiator covers?
Depending on the existing efficiency of your radiator, some covers will impact the even distribution of convected heat around the room.
If you’re shopping for a radiator cover, try to ensure that the cover you purchase has enough spacing between the cover and radiator. The cover should leave plenty of room for ventilation on the top, bottom, and sides of the heating unit.
A minimum of 10% of the radiator’s height is required for optimal convection around the room.
What material is best for radiator covers?
Radiator covers need to be breathable to let the heat disperse throughout the room through convection.
Most covers are designed to let the radiator efficiently heat the room by leaving openings on the top and sides of the cover.
Metal and steel radiator covers block the least amount of heat in a room, whether a screen or grille covers the front of the unit. Metal does get hot to the touch, so it may not be the best option for your family.
Some covers are made from wood, which can be more aesthetically pleasing than a hunk of metal. Wood won’t get hot the way metal will, but purchasing a cover made from wood will likely cost more.
Related post: How to babyproof dog food and water bowls
Wrap Up- How To Baby Proof Radiators
As a parent, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all the ways your baby can harm themselves in your home.
Some babyproofing can be done by rearranging furniture or removing certain items from their reach. Others require some creativity and will cost you, but are worth investing in for your own peace of mind and your baby’s safety.
After reading this post, you should have some ideas on how to baby proof radiators and their steaming hot pipes within your home. Many covers disguise the unit entirely while looking stylish and modern in any room. It’s a win-win!