People readily understand that the world can be a dangerous place, whether at their jobs, on their commute or even while running errands. One place people seem to let their guards down however, is at home. This is likely because the control we have over our own environment gives us a sense of security not present out in the real world. But the sheer amount of time we spend in our homes increases our accident potential, as do the weekend projects and jobs we would never be asked (or allowed) to do elsewhere. These, with many other factors, combine to result in more accidents happening in the home than any other place. Luckily, adding foam home safety products from Foam Factory, Inc. can reduce the potential for accidents to you and your family.
With a variety of products available in open-cell and closed-cell foam varieties, Foam Factory’s manufacturing capabilities mean they can tailor any foam to your specific needs. With products that can be used in any room in the house, a little preparation now can prevent an accident later.
One of the most perilous places in the home is the basement. Often poorly lit with support pillars, overhead ducts, wire work and low ceilings, it’s easy to see how a trip downstairs can quickly take a turn for the worse. Whether rarely used or fully furnished, basements with metal support poles can be an accident waiting to happen. From stubbed toes or banged elbows to something as serious a child hitting his or her head, these support pillars are unforgiving and often go unnoticed until an accident happens. With Foam Factory’s open-cell charcoal foam basement pole wrap, you can surround these hard posts with an inch of soft, impact-absorbing foam. Requiring no installation beyond simply sliding the bumper foam around the pole with the pre-cut slit, these 6-foot tall basement pole covers are big enough to protect from head to toe and come in three diameters for fitting around any pole.
Duct work and low ceilings can also cause obstacles in the basement. Replacement parts or new installations may not fit as cleanly as previous systems, the ceiling may be particularly low or you may just be particularly tall. No matter what the situation is, ducts, joists or any structures that cannot be walked under while in a normal stride can pose a threat. To guard against sharp edges and hard surfaces, adding foam bumpers to the edges of low-hanging problem areas can help soften a blow and reduce the chance for serious injury, much like the pole wrap. Flexible and form-fitting neoprene is one foam product that can help absorb impact should you forget to duck. This closed-cell foam features a resilient structure that provides great shock absorbing capabilities. Available in thicknesses of 1/8 of an inch to 2 inches, a full or half sheet of 1/2 inch neoprene is particularly recommended for adding head protection to basement obstacles without further reducing ceiling height. These can be screwed to joists with washers or attached to ductwork with spray adhesive.
As anyone with children knows, home safety for kids becomes top priority when evaluating your house. Turning your head for just a few seconds is more than enough time for a child to be hurt in an accident, so taking extra precaution is important. For individuals with fireplaces in their homes, the hard brickwork and sharp edges can be extremely dangerous for children, as well as adults. Foam Factory manufactures fireplace padding covers with wooden frames and open-cell high density foam to fit over the edges and corners of fireplace hearths. Foam Factory is able to make these custom-cut foam covers to the specific dimensions of your fireplace, so there is no worry of a cookie-cutter form that leaves exposed areas. With a design that simply rests on the ledge, there is no installation or damage to the fireplace. These are a necessity for families with children just learning to crawl and walk. Another childproofing safety product Foam Factory offers is the open-cell foam door stopper, which like the fireplace cover, requires no installation. The wedge fits snugly over the top or edge of a door, keeping it from slamming shut on fingers, locking someone in or out and also keeps doorknobs from punching holes in walls if the door swings open. When the door needs to be shut, they can be simply pulled off and stored.
Another use for neoprene around the house is in the bath. When giving your child or pet a bath, the edges of bathtubs are hard and can be slippery. This is dangerous for people leaning into the tub to wash a child or pet, as well as for whoever is in the tub. Water resistant neoprene sheets can be placed over the edge of the tub, providing a padded surface for elbows and arms and protection against a bumped head for those in the tub. These pads do not absorb water, so they will not rot or grow mold, mildew or bacteria. And even when wet, the neoprene foam will provide more of a grip and certainly more padding for elbows than the tub’s hard surface. These can even be cut into longer forms to provide a comfortable kneeling pad, all connected in one product.
With more accidents happening in the home than anywhere else, it’s important to be aware of the potential hazards in your home. Whether acting as a precaution or looking to remedy a situation you’ve already encountered, Foam Factory has an inventory of products that are perfect for protecting you and your loved ones.
Note: Foam Factory, Inc. will not have any liability to anyone for incidental or consequential damages or any other liability, injury, loss or damage arising out of or related to our products, even if Foam Factory or an authorized representative of Foam Factory has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
I hv very low ceilings in my basement. I need padding for the part covering the ducts. And, corner protector for the edges.
We would suggest at least 1/2″ of Neoprene-HQ foam for your application.