How to Childproof Your HVAC Registers

If you have a new baby at home, you have probably started childproofing your house, but have you thought about your registers? Keeping kids from removing registers can be a parenting challenge. At Tower Heating & Air, we have found toys, coins, Barbies, truck wheels, uneaten food, and all kinds of things in the vents just below the floor registers. Here are a few tips to help keep your kids safe.

First things first, make sure they were installed correctly. To do this, gently run your hand over the tines on the floor grill. If it feels sharp to you, chances are it is a cheap builders-grade register. If a child were to step or slip on this with bare feet, cuts can result. If this is your situation, call 919-755-1957, and we will install safe, quality registers for you.

Next, you want to keep your child from lifting the registers as best you can. We like using double-sided tape to help keep them on the ground. This works best on non-carpeted surfaces.

Lastly, you can screen your registers. Even if your child cannot lift your register, they still may want to try to put things down them. You can use vinyl screening or air filters specifically designed for your registers to prevent this. Air will still be able to get out but your child will not be able to put things in.

Don’t Worry if Small Things Fall in Your Register

As we said before, we have found all sorts of things in registers and that is ok, as long as you are scheduled for regular maintenance. You do not want those items staying in your vent for too long.

Join our Maintenance Plan to keep your HVAC system running smoothly all year long. Included in our Maintenance Plan are two cleaning visits. We will come out once in the spring and once in the fall to make sure everything is in tip-top shape. This includes removing those toys, barbies, etc.