24Hr & Same-Day Service Available •
Haller Enterprises offers expert design, installation, repair and maintenance for all your plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical and water conditioning systems.
Heating & Cooling
If you’re in need of a repair or system replacement, trust our NATE-certified HVAC technicians.
Plumbing
From fixture replacements to full kitchen and bath remodels, we customize our plumbing services to meet your needs.
Electrical
Whether it’s replacing a light switch or designing a networking system, our electricians can handle it all.
Water Conditioning
We offer a full range of water conditioning products to provide the best possible water quality.
Indoor Air Quality
The air in your home should be of the highest quality to keep you healthy.
Commercial & New Construction
Serving a wide variety of industries in the commercial space: plumbing, HVAC, and electrical divisions will keep your business running smoothly.
HomeX℠ Remote Assist
Get virtual support from experts
We offer a wide range of services for commercial and industrial applications.
Commercial Plumbing
Commercial HVAC
Commercial Electrical
Commercial Drain Cleaning
Commercial Refrigeration
Industries Served
We create & update facilities, for any industry, to make your business better.
Our mission is to enrich the lives of Haller Enterprises employees, customers, and the communities we serve by delivering unparalleled commercial and residential service and solutions.
Join Our Team
Work smart, play hard, grow & make some great friends along the way
We are proud to serve our local community from our five locations.
Allentown
Exton
Harrisburg
Lancaster
York
October 30, 2020 • In Tips • 10 Min Read
By Haller Enterprises
Every parent, whether to a two-legged or four-legged child, knows you always have to be thinking 10 steps ahead of your baby or pet. That’s because kids and pets are totally unpredictable, and can find themselves in dangerous situations if you’re not careful.
Let’s acknowledge how hard it is for parents to account for every danger or health hazard that may befall their baby or pet. You could be the most cautious, prepared homeowner in the world, but sometimes unforeseen hazards arise.
As the old adage goes, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” That’s why we’ve put together this homeowner’s guide for baby-proofing and pet-proofing a home. These tips will help you identify safety hazards and health risks, and provide you with the best solutions so you can keep everyone safe and healthy.
Here are the categories of health and safety dangers and hazards we’ll cover:
Each of these types of dangers has baby-proofing and pet-proofing solutions you can use. Many of them are simple fixes you can do in under a day, and some require professional expertise. Some solutions may need immediate action, while you can implement others over time.
The risk of electrocution is very real when you have babies and pets in the home. Young ones are curious by nature, and they may be drawn to your electrical outlets. In fact, for babies, standard electrical outlets can look like faces with two eyes and a mouth. What baby wouldn’t want to poke at funny faces on the wall?
But it’s not just electrical outlets you need to worry about. Cords can also be a home hazard if you leave them unsecured and exposed. Puppies and kittens can access the electrical cords and chew through them. This can damage the cord and create a risk of electrocution as well.
Besides safety, there’s also the risk of children and pets unplugging your devices. It’s easy for a baby or pet to crawl or walk over a cord and rip it from the outlet. It’s also a possibility little fingers or paws can switch off an entire power strip, effectively shutting down your entire entertainment system.
These scenarios are easy enough to prevent when you have the right solutions and products designed to baby-proof your home. Here are some of the products you can use to protect your babies, pets and your devices:
Take note if your pet has a habit of chewing on electrical cords — especially during the holidays when you hang up strands of lights. For added safety and precaution, be sure to regularly check cords for damage such as cracks or fraying. If you notice any damage, then replace these cords immediately. It’s also a best practice to keep cords hidden away whenever you leave your puppy home alone.
Plumbing presents its own unique set of challenges to pets and babies. If you’re looking to baby-proof your home, you need to consider the serious risk of drowning and scalding. Tubs, sinks and toilets can all provide enough water to drown, so these need to be priorities when you go to baby-proof your home.
Also, consider your water temperature. Hot water running through sink or tub faucets can heat up the metal and cause skin burns on contact. The tub also presents a slipping hazard, which can cause severe injuries to anyone, but especially to young kids.
Plumbing hazards can also harm pets. If you use chemical cleaning products in the toilet bowl, they can poison dogs and cats looking for a water source. Keeping the toilet lid closed is the easiest way to pet-proof your home against this type of danger.
There are many simple baby-proofing solutions that can prevent water hazards. Here are some of the ways to baby proof your home against drowning, slipping and scalding:
There are countless miscellaneous hazards you may need to baby-proof your home against. One of these is baseboard heaters. These are right at infant and pet height, and can burn your little ones if not protected. Floor vents are another hazard that can cause cuts or catch on fingers and toes.
Stairs and railings are another major concern for parents, though building codes today account for railing measurements to prevent heads from getting stuck. Similarly, many windows today have locks and latches that prevent wide openings and keep your kids and pets safe.
Other hazards can arise from small parts babies and pets might chew on. Toys laying around the living room can also cause tripping incidents. Thankfully, there are lots of creative solutions for managing these risks, which can help you fully baby- and pet-proof your home:
No conversation about baby- and pet-proofing a home would be complete without mentioning chemical products and other harmful substances. Babies are curious and attracted to bright, shiny labels. Likewise, pets are attracted to the distinct scents from many household cleaners or other toxic products.
According to the CDC, poisonous substances kill an average of two children every day in America. Poisoning may come from children accidentally consuming chemical cleaning products or prescription medications. That’s why it’s critical to keep all toxic products locked away in elevated cupboards. Or, if you store cleaning products under the sink, be sure to use baby- and pet-proof cabinet locks to restrict access.
In addition to harmful products, there is another common health risk that many homeowners aren’t even aware of — indoor air quality. Several studies have found more than 96 percent of American homes have poor indoor air quality. The EPA considers poor indoor quality as one of the top five greatest environmental health risks, and poor indoor air quality can be damaging to young ones.
Common causes of poor indoor air quality are mold and allergens. Mold can build up virtually anywhere moisture has collected. Allergens, dust mites and other harmful substances can collect in air vents and ducts. Exposure to these toxins, especially in young, developing lungs, can lead to allergies, asthma and other chronic health conditions.
The good news is, you can baby-proof your home against poor indoor air quality with the right professional services and air quality systems:
As a parent and homeowner, you have lots to think about when it comes to pet- and baby-proofing your home. From electrical to plumbing to air systems, there are many ways you can make your home safer, healthier and more comfortable for your little ones.
Haller Enterprises is dedicated to helping our customers achieve the best home improvement solutions possible. If you’re looking for electrical, plumbing and HVAC services in the Central Pennsylvania area, then contact Haller today. We’ll be happy to help create a healthier home for your children and pets now and well into the future.
Also – feel free to check out previous installments of our “Homeowner Series” below:
Share This Article
Chat With Us
Book An Appointment
November 1, 2021 • 1 Min Read
While spending more time at home this year, did you notice elements you want to change? Perhaps it was that...
April 26, 2021 • 2 Min Read
The cost of a walk-in commercial cooler alone (or any refrigeration system, for that matter) can make a dent in...
April 19, 2021 • 1 Min Read
Our homes have always been important places, but the past year has brought even more focus within those walls. Working...
April 8, 2021 • 2 Min Read
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is important throughout the year. Learn why to test, when IAQ testing should happen, and how...