Children and pets during ECO4 works: a UK household safety checklist (2026)

Guide by ApplyFreeBoiler.uk (Reliant Energy Solutions Ltd), a heating and insulation installer in Bury, Greater Manchester. We are not the government, Ofgem or an energy supplier.

A boiler replacement or insulation job under ECO4 can mean open doors, tools, dust, ladders and strangers in the house for a day or more. With young children or pets at home, it helps to plan ahead so the work goes smoothly and everyone stays safe. This checklist is general information from ApplyFreeBoiler.uk, a heating and insulation installer in Bury, and does not guarantee funding.

1. Ask what will happen in each room and when

Before the day, ask the installer which rooms they need, roughly how long they will be in each one and whether the loft, airing cupboard or outside walls are involved. That lets you plan where children and pets can stay out of the way.

2. Set up a safe room

Choose one room away from the work for children or pets, with toys, water, bedding or a litter tray as needed. Shut the door and put a note on it so the engineers know not to open it.

3. Watch out for open doors

Engineers may need to go in and out of the front door many times to bring in materials and take away the old boiler. Keep dogs and cats secured so they cannot slip out, and make sure young children cannot wander outside.

4. Keep little hands away from tools and materials

Insulation materials, pipe fittings, cutting tools and ladders are not safe for children or pets. Ask the installer to keep tools and offcuts in one area and to tidy up at the end of each day if the job runs over more than one day.

5. Plan around heating and hot water being off

Ask how long heating and hot water may be off. With a baby or young children, think about bath times, warm bottles and keeping one room comfortable, especially in cold weather.

6. Check the home before everyone settles back

When the work is finished, walk round with the installer, check that loft hatches are closed, there are no screws or offcuts on the floor and that radiators and pipes are secure. Make sure any new controls are out of reach of small children if possible.

7. Check funding and local figures

See ECO measures by council on ApplyFreeBoiler.uk, built from DESNZ Household Energy Efficiency statistics, to see how many ECO measures have been installed in your local authority area. Use the ApplyFreeBoiler.uk eligibility check to see whether an ECO4 heating or insulation pathway may be available for your home in England, Scotland or Wales. ECO4 is due to close on 31 December 2026.