A cast iron radiator can get very hot, especially when you need to keep the heat up in your home during the colder months. When at that high temperature, a cast iron radiator can become a hazard for small children or pets. They can also cause a fire if anything flammable were to come into contact with the radiator, which could cause a full-blown house fire. There are some precautions you and your family can take to prevent such accidents.

photo credit: WhitA

The easiest and most efficient method of accident proofing your cast iron radiator is to use a radiator cover. Radiator covers are specifically designed to fit right over your radiators and keep the heat and the metal from touching anything else. Some of them are made to be plain but they can also come with a decorative look, which can make it appear to be a book shelf or some other piece of the home. You can try to build your own cover, but it is recommended that you purchase one unless you are experienced in this field. You can also use radiator covers to direct the warm air in a certain direction, which will make the radiator more efficient and help you to save money on your heating bills.

Some radiators actually come with a cover, however with others you will have to find and purchase one separately. Take a measure of the area of your radiator and look for a cover with those dimensions. If your radiator is an odd shape, you might need to have a cover custom made for you. If you attempt to make your own, just be careful as the hot iron is difficult to work with. Even with a cover, you should still be careful near your radiator. The cover itself can sometimes get a bit hot. It should have some kind of a handle, but if it does not a towel, pot holder or glove can help, should you need to remove it.