Best Humidifier for Kids and Babies

As previously mentioned, cool mist humidifiers are safer for homes with children. Experts recommend them over warm mist humidifiers because they don’t need heat to produce mist and thus are generally safer. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that warm and cool mist humidifiers are equally effective when it comes to humidifying.

Although all cool mist humidifiers (regardless of the type) are generally safe, evaporative humidifiers are considered the safest because of their self-regulating evaporative system. This eliminates the risk of over-humidifying a room as evaporative humidifiers will only produce mist depending on the humidity level in the vicinity. This makes them much safer and more convenient for overnight use too.

Humidifiers are generally safe for use around children, but it would be better to use them accompanied by adult supervision. It is also imperative that humidifiers are cleaned and disinfected at least once a week, especially when there are children around. This is to ensure that bacterial and mold growth are minimized. If left unchecked, these disease-causing microorganisms can be released into your home.

It is also highly recommended to use only cool mist humidifiers when there are children at home. This is because warm mist humidifiers use heating elements which could potentially be safety hazards. Also, the mist released from warm mist humidifiers can sometimes be hot enough to cause burns, and curious toddlers may get injured if they come into contact with the steam.

Truth be told, there are risks which accompany the use of a humidifier. Below, we discuss some examples of the potential risks you should be aware of, regardless of whether or not you have children at home:

1. Over-humidifying – When not properly regulated, a humidifier can potentially over-humidify a room. When humidity levels are too high for too long, this can lead to several problems such as mold growth or a proliferation of dust mites around your home. High humidity levels can also result in feelings of discomfort, such as stuffiness and difficulty breathing, or can contribute to troublesome condensation on your walls and windows.
2. Allergy triggers from mold and dust mites – Mold and dust mites proliferate in humid environments and can trigger allergic reactions in children who are sensitive to them.
3. Breeding ground for bacteria and viruses – When not cleaned regularly, humidifiers become ideal places for bacteria and viruses to grow. These microorganisms can cause illnesses and infections when released into the air. This is especially true for children because of their underdeveloped immune system.
4. White dust – White dust that comes from a humidifier is caused by trace minerals present in the water that you’re using. Ultrasonic humidifiers often have this problem when hard water is being used. To avoid this, use distilled or demineralized water.
5. Spilled water – It’s no secret that humidifiers are prone to leaking. Leaks can be caused by any number of things, but the most common causes include an overfilled tank, a blocked drainage tube, or a clogged filter. Uncleaned spills can be very dangerous, especially when you have a hyperactive toddler running around the house who could slip and fall.
6. Electrocution – This is probably one of the scariest things that could happen when using humidifiers. With an electric appliance that holds so much water, electrocution is a very real risk. It’s important to check that wires and switches on the humidifier are in good condition and functioning properly. When refilling the humidifier, it’s advised to unplug the unit to prevent any accidents from happening.
7. Burns from warm mist humidifiers – As discussed previously, warm mist humidifiers pose a safety risk due to the heating element that they use. A warm mist humidifier can get very hot while in use and could potentially burn your curious toddlers when they try to touch it. If you want to be completely safe, then you’re better off choosing a cool mist humidifier.

Scary as they may seem, these risks can be minimized or eliminated completely when the humidifier is well-maintained and regularly cleaned. When in use, it would be ideal to place the humidifier in a spot that small children can’t reach. In all cases, it’s best that an adult is around to supervise children, regardless of whether or not a humidifier is running.

• What Are the Benefits of Using a Humidifier for Children?

• Despite the aforementioned risks, a humidifier still provides several benefits for babies and young children. They are particularly beneficial during drier, colder months when coughs, colds, and dry sinuses plague our children. Babies in particular are more prone to congestion, which could potentially lead to infections.

  Humidifiers can provide relief from these symptoms by adding moisture to the air and creating optimal breathing conditions. These conditions help babies sleep better and loosen the buildup of mucus.

  Aside from being beneficial to their respiratory system, humidifiers can also help prevent babies’ skin from getting dry and irritated and can even prevent the worsening of skin diseases like eczema.

  Another bonus of using a humidifier in a nursery is that it provides white noise which can help lull infants to sleep. It can also help drown out other, more distracting noises such as barking dogs or traffic.

• How Does an Evaporative Humidifier Work?

• Evaporative humidifiers are the oldest and most common type of cool mist humidifiers.

  Similar to the age-old concept of placing a jar of water in the middle of a room to naturally add moisture to the air through evaporation, evaporative humidifiers use a wick filter that absorbs water from the tank and filters out impurities before the fan helps the water from the filter evaporate out into the room.

• How Often Should the Wick Filter Be Replaced?

• Wick filters can last anywhere from 1 month to 3 months, depending on how often you use your cool mist humidifier. When left unchecked for long periods of time, wick filters can be breeding grounds for bacteria and mold as well as mineral build up, all of which will lead to clogging. A clogged wick filter will greatly impede the performance of your humidifier and cause it to work harder than it should. This, in turn, will cause the humidifier to use up more energy and burn out more quickly.

  To prevent this from happening, it’s always good to check the wick filter regularly for signs of bacterial and mold growth, which is characterized by a darkening of the filter. Keep an eye on the humidity output of your humidifier as well: a humidifier with a dirty wick will work more slowly even on the highest setting and will take a longer time to empty the tank than normal.

  Some wick filters can easily be cleaned simply by rinsing them under running water and then allowing them to soak in a mixture of water and white vinegar for 30 minutes. If the humidifier still isn’t performing as it should even after you’ve cleaned the wick filter, then you know it’s time to replace it.

• How Will I Know If the Room Is Over-Humidified?

• If your humidity levels are too high, you might notice condensation around your home, particularly on the windows, or stained ceilings and walls. Other signs of high humidity levels include recurring allergies, rotting wood, and musty odors.

  Increased moisture in the air provides a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Pests like cockroaches also gravitate towards more humid environments. To know more about maintaining the right humidity levels, read our article here.

• How Loud Can I Expect a Humidifier to Be?

• Humidifiers are usually not too loud, especially compared to other appliances like air conditioners and air purifiers.

  Ideally, if you’re planning to use a humidifier in the bedroom, you’d want one that doesn’t produce more than 40 decibels of noise. Read our article on the Best Quiet Humidifiers to know more!

• Where Should I Place My Humidifier?

• Ideally, regardless of the type, humidifiers need to be placed above ground level, preferably somewhere a child can’t reach.

  Humidifiers should also be placed on surfaces that don’t get damaged by water, so wooden tables and other wooden furniture are a no-no. It’s important to note, though, that regardless of where you put it, the area surrounding humidifiers may become moist and slippery from the mist output.