There’s a lot of stress on parents to make sure that they aren’t jeopardising the health of their child, and exposure to things like a dehumidifier can be scary.
It leads you to, are dehumidifiers actually good for babies? Well, we have some good news.
They aren’t harmful to your little one’s health. In fact, they might actually be quite good for them. Intrigued? Let’s find out why.
Everything you need to know is right here so that you can make an informed choice and determine what’s right for your family.
Effects of High Humidity on Babies
Living in a home with too much humidity can disturb the baby’s sleep. High humidity can also affect the health of your baby in various ways – from causing disarray with their body temperature to creating a breeding ground for allergies.
High humidity can result in heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and overproduction of mould causing allergies or serious respiratory issues.
Babies typically have crevices and folds in their skin that can trap in moisture and cause yeast infections. Because of how deep the crevices are, it can be a real challenge to keep that area clean and dry throughout the day. Excessive humidity can also play a role in causing these bacterial infections and hindering the recovery process.
What Features to Consider when Choosing a Dehumidifier
Indoor temperature and humidity levels affect the performance of dehumidifiers. If you plan to place your dehumidifier in a low-temperature space, such as your basement, you will need to make sure that it will continue to operate efficiently at low temperatures. Otherwise, the coils in the unit may freeze up.
In spaces that attract high amounts of water moisture in the air, you will need a high-capacity unit that can handle large moisture loads.
Standard models use containers that you must empty regularly, these usually have an automatic shut off when the container gets too full. This lowers the risk of any electrical issues, or fires from starting.
With most dehumidifiers, you can connect a drain hose to the collection bucket, which allows you to empty the water into a floor drain or direct the collected water outdoors.
Another feature to consider when purchasing a dehumidifier for your space is for it to choose one with a humidistat. These instruments measure the relative humidity within the environment and then the dehumidifier will make any needed adjustments to its settings. These can be purchased separately, but some models have them included.
For children that are sound sensitive while sleeping, you might want to consider a model that is considered quiet. Dehumidifiers can be noisy and can easily disturb your baby’s sleep.
Air filters are a must-have in every home; their primary function is to clean the air that circulates through the filter. In a dehumidifier, moisture is drawn from the air and collected in the tank while clean air is exhausted back out through the unit.
Filters trap and hold many types of particulates and contaminants that could affect your child’s health and comfort. Some of these contaminants include; dust and dirt, pollen, fibres and lint, hair and animal fur, and most importantly; bacteria and microorganisms.
Air filters are efficient for keeping your baby’s immune system at bay, with the practice of regularly changing them out.
The last feature to consider when purchasing a dehumidifier is its portability. Do you want to buy big units that are a hassle to transport within the house, or something easy enough to move around without disturbing your baby?
Read Here : Best Dehumidifier Review Guide
FAQs
What level of humidity is good for babies?
The EPA recommends keeping relative humidity between 30% and 60%. Some baby experts suggest keeping humidity slightly higher than for adults, around 55% RH. Some experts also suggest slightly higher temperatures too, between 68°F and 70°F (20°C to 21°C).
Are dehumidifiers cost-efficient?
Yes, dehumidifiers are cost-efficient. The efficiency of dehumidifiers is rated in terms of energy factor (EF), the volume of water removed from the air per unit of energy consumed, measured in litres per kilowatt-hour.
Even though smaller capacity units draw less power per unit time than larger capacity units, they will have to operate longer to remove the same amount of moisture.
Essentially, a 30L model can be more energy efficient than a 20L unit because it needs to run for less time than a 20L dehumidifier, so also a particular 30L unit can be more energy-efficient than another 30L dehumidifier because it takes less time to dehumidify a particular space (it has a faster moisture removal rate)
Are dehumidifiers safe?
A dehumidifier uses a minimal amount of electricity and comes with safety features built in to protect you, in case of it overheating or tipping over. Dehumidifiers are also designed to be used for extended periods. Dehumidifiers come with features that help keep your house safe, when the water tank becomes full there is an automatic switch off.
They are also designed to be used for extended periods of time – when the water tank becomes full there is an automatic switch off. This stops it from working or from using any electricity until the water tank is emptied.
Dehumidifiers also come with a tilt safety feature, which means that in case the unit gets knocked over, it will automatically stop running to keep you safe. If the motor becomes overheated, the dehumidifier will also shut itself off until it is safe to begin working again.
Similarly, a humidifier is also safe for use around your baby and in general. A humidifier produces a cool mist that can be refreshing in summer while also ensuring correct humidity level in homes that have very dry air.
Is the air safe that dehumidifiers blow out?
Dehumidifiers have a built-in filter operation system that helps purify the air, giving clean, non-toxic air. As the air is sucked into the machine and filtered for moisture, the air is filtered and blown out cleaner. As long as you take care of the filter and clean it regularly you will always have safe and clean air being blown back into your home.
Final Thoughts
Dehumidifiers are very beneficial for your home, they do everything from keeping allergens at bay to purifying any mould spores that might be in the air. They are a great investment for your baby if your child happens to live in a home with high humidity levels.
Purchasing a dehumidifier could help your baby sleep better at night and can reduce the risk of your baby catching a respiratory infection.
Ready to take a look at dehumidifiers to find the perfect model for your home and your baby? Head over to our detailed guide on the best models on the market and get yourself an excellent deal.
Last Updated on March 19, 2021 by Gemma Tyler
Gemma Tyler is a freelance journalist with 15 years of experience writing for consumer publications. She has tested and reviewed a wide range of household items from vacuum cleaners to washing machines and dehumidifiers to steam irons. Her attention to detail and exhaustive testing certainly makes her an expert in her field.
