Protecting small child from radiator

kaylienj

This is our first winter in a house with steam heat and cast iron radiators. We need to figure out how to cover the radiators to keep our 16 month old safe (she loves to touch them). Will metal covers be safe? I just want to make sure they won't get as hot as the radiator itself.

SlamDunk

You can order radiator covers from Monarch. They will keep your little one from getting burned and not effect heating capability too much. I have them.

KC_Jones

I have 3 children, never had one get burned. The rad isn't hot enough to burn them unless they want it to. A human being will remove their hand long before there is a problem, this is a fact.

If your child has the rare nervous system disorder that doesn't allow them to feel pain I could understand the worry.

Remember these things have been around for well over 100 years, if your worry was a real problem we would have heard about it by now through the news, or by the government outlawing steam heat. None of that has happened.

It's your house do what you want, but your fears, in reality, are unfounded.

Zipper13

I grew up in a house with steam rads. Had one right next to my headboard. Honestly have no memory of ever being harmed by one. The noises scared the hell out me, but no physical scars. That said, I have a kid myself now and want to get something to cover the radiators in his room as he starts crawling now.

@SlamDunk are these the covers? I can't believe the price! Will definitely be making my own this winter and save a little.
https://www.mcssl.com/store/monarchproductscompanyinc/catalog/search

SlamDunk

That is them. The quality is great, they look very nice.

I grew up with steam radiators and bare no physical scars either; I also rode skateboards and bicycles without helmets or pads but I wont let young 'uns around me do it today.

ScottSecor

We have been contracted a few times to make covers from scratch, they weren't cheap but they sure looked nice. One thing to keep in mind is that most covers reduce the radiator output. The good news is that most radiators are over sized for the area they heat anyway.

Steamhead

How about using ordinary fireplace screens? I've seen this done, though not often- but they don't restrict the heat output (up to 33%) like those Monarch covers do.

ChrisJ

I'm surprised someone actually likes how those Monarch covers look. They look terrible in my opinion.

I'm with @KC_Jones I have to children and they have no problem with my steam radiators. They know when they're hot and they don't touch them.

HVACNUT

I put kids on the Playskool scooter and pushed them right into a hot rad. Mostly hands and feet. Guess what though? They knew it was hot after that. It's common to be a baby's first word. HOT! Nah, that didn't happen, but you get the point. Why do we fall?

woobagooba

ChrisJ said:

I'm surprised someone actually likes how those Monarch covers look. They look terrible in my opinion.

Depends on what your rads look like.

What’s the approximate cost to refinish a rad?

ChrisJ

> @woobagooba said:
> (Quote)
>
> Depends on what your rads look like.
>
> What’s the approximate cost to refinish a rad?

I would much rather look at a rusty rad than any of those enclosures.

Of course that's a personal preference. Everyone has different taste.

My plans are to sandblast all of mine and paint them flat black. I like the look and it'll increase IR output.

SlamDunk

My covers look great, are well built and, while the laws of physics say there will be heat loss, we haven't noticed and our fuel bill did not rise. Plus, during the warm months, we can put plants on them!

Monarch's website is really poor but their covers are not. I have two more to purchase.

Intplm.

Grew up with steam heat too. No covers on any rads. Had one right next to my bed. Was never burned. No one in my family was ever hurt.
It's not like putting your bare hand on a electric stove burner and finding out the hard way to not touch that.
Some like the covers. I do not. They can reduce heat output and look.....well. You decide.

SlamDunk

Just because it didn't happen to you, or anyone you know, doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

https://abc7ny.com/toddler-scalded-by-heating-pipe-in-nycha-building/4930903/


https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/steam-212-degrees-filled-room-bronx-girls-died-article-1.2903967


Imagine how many 100 yr old radiators out there that have peeling, lead paint on them!

Or how many stitches were required when cast iron edge met a tender skull?

My company has a daycare on site and I am responsible for its maintenance. I now see dangers where there weren't any in my past. Water temp has to fall between 90-100, Fluorescent bulbs have to be sleeved, cabinets locked, playground, toys, furniture-all have safety concerns to be considered.

So, when a parent asks about radiator covers to protect a child, the answer is: Sure! Why not?

ChrisJ

SlamDunk said:

Just because it didn't happen to you, or anyone you know, doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

https://abc7ny.com/toddler-scalded-by-heating-pipe-in-nycha-building/4930903/


https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/steam-212-degrees-filled-room-bronx-girls-died-article-1.2903967


Imagine how many 100 yr old radiators out there that have peeling, lead paint on them!

Or how many stitches were required when cast iron edge met a tender skull?

My company has a daycare on site and I am responsible for its maintenance. I now see dangers where there weren't any in my past. Water temp has to fall between 90-100, Fluorescent bulbs have to be sleeved, cabinets locked, playground, toys, furniture-all have safety concerns to be considered.

So, when a parent asks about radiator covers to protect a child, the answer is: Sure! Why not?

A tender skull falling against one of those wooden cabinets would be bad as well.

Pealing lead paint is a very big concern and should be dealt with properly. This is something I do not take lightly. In my opinion that does not mean covering it up in a vented enclosure which will have a draft being pulled through it. We would never allow pealing lead paint in ductwork. A radiator should be treated the same.

@Jamie Hall I believe I remember you talking a lot about the concerns of lead paint?

HomerJSmith

We have a wood stove. One day, I had a rip roaring fire going and I could see that my 3 yr old daughter wanted to touch it. I explained and said, "It's Hot"! She touched it anyway. She's just that kind of person. She never touched it again.

Some people have to learn thru experience and some people learn thru the experience of others.

ChrisJ

> @HomerJSmith said:
> We have a wood stove. One day, I had a rip roaring fire going and I could see that my 3 yr old daughter wanted to touch it. I explained and said, "It's Hot"! She touched it anyway. She's just that kind of person. She never touched it again.
>
> Some people have to learn thru experience and some people learn thru the experience of others.

Yeah, wood stoves are really hot. Much much hotter than a steam radiator or pipe.

@SlamDunk Have you ever touched a steam pipe?

SlamDunk

@ChrisJ

No, never, not once! I have grown up with steam, I have steam heat in my current home and I operate 3, 600BHP boilers and 7, 300BHP boilers at 100 psi and I never touched a steam pipe! Nope. never.

That was a rhetorical question, right?

ChrisJ

SlamDunk said:

@ChrisJ

No, never, not once! I have grown up with steam, I have steam heat in my current home and I operate 3, 600BHP boilers and 7, 300BHP boilers at 100 psi and I never touched a steam pipe! Nope. never.

That was a rhetorical question, right?

When touching a steam pipe that is part of a home heating system, has it ever burned you?