Today’s post is sponsored by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association to help spread the word about the importance of child proofing fireplace and having a fireplace safety screen. A big winter safety issue in many homes with children, is fireplace childproofing and safety. Even one burn is too many. Here are some burn prevention tips to help keep kids safe around the hot glass on gas fireplaces, stoves and inserts.
How To Baby Proof The Fireplace: 4 Fireplace Safety Burn Prevention Tips
All of these fireplace safety burn prevention tips work together so make sure you take all four precautions.
1. Be Aware Of Fireplace Danger & Talk To Your Children
It is important the everyone in your household know that the glass and surrounding metal on a gas fireplace, stove and insert gets very hot and can stay hot even after the appliance has been turned off. Make sure that your kids and visiting children know to avoid risk of injury by not going to close or touching the a gas fireplace, stove or insert. This tip is more to help child proof the fireplace because babies may not understand your instruction. It is a helpful precaution but should not be relied on a sole measure.
2. Always Consider The Fireplace Glass Potentially Hot
Fireplace glass and metal can take an hour or more to cool down after use. Some appliances turn on and off automatically with a thermostat, so you may not know when the fire turned off. Always assume the fireplace glass is hot and tell children not to touch it even when it is turned off.
3. Supervise Children Near The Fireplace
Another important burn prevention tip is to supervise kids when they want to play in the same room as the fireplace. Injury can happen in an instant, especially with kids and those with special needs so it is important to monitor and supervise.
4. Fireplace Child-Proofing Is Essential: Fireplace Safety Screen or Fireplace Baby Gates
Because kids do not always listen or remember and because accidents happen, fireplace child-proofing is essential. Supervision is important but is no substitute for a physical barrier that can prevent direct contact. All gas-fired, certified fireplaces manufactured after January 1, 2015 will include a safety screen or protective barrier that must be installed. If your product is older than January 1, 2015, aftermarket products for fireplace child-proofing are available. These barriers are useful in order to keep family pets safe as well.
3 Types Of Child Proof Fireplace Screen Barriers:
1. Attachable Fireplace Safety Screen
These should be manufacture approved for this purpose.
2. Free Standing Fireplace Safety Gates
A Freestanding Fireplace Safety Gate for fireplace to the perfect way to child proof the fireplace and prevent burns. These can be free standing or installed. The KidCo Custom Fit Auto Close HearthGate, pictured below provides the maximum safety in protecting your toddler from the dangers of fireplaces and free standing stoves. This one-of-a-kind gate system fits a standard 6’ hearth providing protection from the hot surfaces and flames of in-use fireplaces, accessing gas starter keys, sharp edges, hard corners and dirty logs. This is the best way to baby-proof your fireplace.
3. Free Standing Fireplace Safety Screen
Rigorous testing was conducted to ensure that these fire safety screens are effective in preventing serious, irreversible burns. There are many styles of fireplace safety screen to fit your decorative tastes.
This short video full of fireplace burn prevention tips and you can go online to learn more at SafeFireplaceTips.com.
I hope you found these fireplace burn prevention tips helpful? Do you have fireplace safety screens or fireplace safety gates?
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Kelly D says
I learned that you should install a switch lock to prevent children from turning on the gas fireplace, stove or insert. .
Carrie G says
I learned Starting January 1, 2015, all newly manufactured glass-fronted, gas appliances – that means fireplaces and heaters – will require a protective barrier if their glass surface temperature exceeds 172 degrees Farenheit. This safety standard requires that the barrier must be in place when the product is installed.
Cindy Peterson says
I learned all new certified fireplaces, stoves and inserts manufactured after January 1, 2015 will include a safety screen or barrier that must be installed.
Char says
New fireplaces will have safety screens, wow! Thank you so much for this 🙂
latanya says
Make sure family members and guests are aware that the glass panel of a gas fireplace, stove or insert can be very hot
Meghan B says
Didn’t know that October is national fireplace month!
Steve Weber says
I learned all new certified fireplaces, stoves and inserts manufactured after January 1, 2015 will include a safety screen or barrier that must be installed.
CRBrown says
Safety screens are required!
Suzanne says
I learned not to forget about the glass.
Rosanne says
You can use a free standing safety gate to prevent access to hot glass
Crystal Rogers Walker says
I like their tips on Tips on Purchasing Aftermarket Safety Products
Cole McKinnon says
I learned that glass fronts can become extremely hot during and even long after operation. I have grand babies and have not done everything that I can do to keep them safe. I need to.
Ivan McKinnon says
Fireplace glass and metal can take an hour or more to cool down after use
Lisa says
I was impressed that attachable safety screens are a thing. I didn’t even know about them until today!!
Laura says
I learned that all newer fireplaces must now have safety screens installed.
Linda says
Starting January 1, 2015, all newly manufactured glass-fronted, gas appliances – that means fireplaces and heaters – will require a protective barrier if their glass surface temperature exceeds 172 degrees Farenheit
paula brown says
Having a safety screen is most important. My fireplace was lit a the wood popped and a piece of the embers popped out onto the carpet burning it.
Ali C says
I learned that the glass could cause irreversible burns, testing was done to ensure that these fire safety screens are effective in preventing serious, irreversible burns. I also learned they come in decorative different styles and October is National fire safety month. Always supervise children and adults and make sure everyone knows to not touch the glass on the fireplace.
Angela Saver says
What caught my eye is that if 1/4 inch of creosote (or more) coats the inner walls of the chimney, you can have a chimney fire! I also learned that you should have your chimney professionally cleaned at least once a year. If your stove is pre-1990 or if your appliance is used frequently, it should be cleaned more than once a year!
Lisa says
I liked the video and learned that safety screens are now required.
Virginia Rowell says
I absolutely love the gate but the free standing screen is awesome too.
Heather Manu says
Tips on Purchasing Aftermarket Safety Products caught my eye
Lisa Walker says
I learned that Fireplace glass and metal can take an hour or more to cool down after it’s turned off.
Tricia Jorke says
I learned that October is national fireplace month. I also learned just how nice these safety screen are as they are practical, needed and nice looking.
rosemary says
wow
Richard Hicks says
Their article on free standing stoves got my attention
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