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Are Humidifiers Safe for Children?

Buying the right humidifier for your family is important when the humidifier will be used in your child's room. Humidifiers make dry air moist, aiding in relieving cold, allergy, and respiratory problems. Learning more about types of humidifiers and safety concerns can assist with making the correct decision for your family.

  1. Types

    • Two types of humidifiers are available. A cool-mist humidifier uses cool water to create humidity within a room. It is recommended to start a cool mist humidifier one hour before a child's bedtime and to make sure to check water levels. Cool-mist humidifiers are also able to cool a warm room along with adding humidity. Hot-water humidifiers release steam heat, and some are able to add menthol vapors. Many hot-water humidifiers are quiet. Both cool- and hot-water humidifiers need to be used on flat surfaces.

    Cool-Water Humidifiers

    • Cool-water humidifiers use filters that need to be replaced often in order to ensure optimal performance. Cool-water humidifiers also use a wick to draw the cool water from the water receptacle. A fan blows on the wick, which evaporates the water. This can sometimes be noisy, and wicks also need to be replaced often. Cool-mist humidifiers need to have their water changed regularly as they are more likely than hot-water humidifiers to spread mold spores and other microorganisms.

    Hot Water Humidifiers

    • Hot-water humidifiers are a concern for use in children's rooms due to the fact that they use boiling water to create humidity. There is a greater risk for a child to burn himself from the mist emitted along with the hot water in the receptacle. Using a hot-water humidifier may use more energy, as water has to be kept at a certain degree to create warm steam. Many hot-water humidifiers are not efficient as cool-water humidifiers for use in large rooms.

    Expert Insight

    • When using either a hot- or cool-mist humidifier, it is important to regulate the amount of humidity that is being created. According to Dr. Clifford W. Bassett, an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital, using a hygrometer, which costs around $10 to $15, will help ensure humidity levels stay below 50 percent when using a humidifier. Bassett also recommends using fresh, clean water daily in humidifiers and following the manufacturers instructions for cleaning the humidifier.

    Precautions

    • Humidifiers are safe for use with children as long as precautions are taken. Only use hot-water humidifiers when placed out of reach of children or when children are secure in cribs. Make sure areas around humidifier are not becoming damp, as this may add to development and spread of mold spores. Always follow the manufacturer's directions with use of humidifiers.

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