Fireplace Safety:
Keeping Your Fireplace
a Safe Zone

I was thinking about safety, but since she was my first child, I just wasn’t fully prepared for her to start moving and getting into things as quickly as she did.

Well, the first day she was walking and fell and nearly cracked her head on the hearth of the fireplace certainly taught me a lesson quickly.

What if something had happened to my child?

Fireplace safety is so very important.
And accidents involving the fireplace are so preventable
with the right safety devices in place.

Fireplace Safety Tips

1. Foam padding

Place foam padding along the edges of the fireplace hearth. It’s very easy to do and you have eliminated the sharp edges of brick.

2. Fireplace guard

Another option to consider is getting a fireplace guard that covers the entire brick hearth. You no longer see any of the brick.

Foam padding goes along the edges of the hearth whereas with a fireplace guard, the entire hearth, not just the edges, will be covered with foam.

A fireplace guard can be measured to fit your fireplace exactly no matter the size or shape of your fireplace.

3. Fireplace safety gate

Another added protection for your child is a safety gate. You can set up a gate that goes along the fireplace hearth and blocks off the entire fireplace area.

I found this to be a good idea because of how active and adamant my grandson was to explore. He was determined to “figure” everything out…even how the safety elements worked!

4. Fireplace screen

One of the things we decided to use with our children, in addition to foam padding, was a child fireplace screen. These screens are lightweight and mesh.

And, they're great because you can still get at the fire to tend it, but they are sturdy enough to keep your child away from the fire where they could get burned.

5. Heat-resistant fireplace doors

Although the screens or gates aid in keeping your child away from the fireplace doors, you want to make sure that you have heat resistant doors on your fireplace.

That way if they do touch the doors, their hands won’t get burned.

However, the doors do still get warm. So, just be aware of that.

6. Fireplace door locks

Getting fireplace door locks is a really good idea. This not only keeps the fireplace doors closed, but it keeps your child from being able to open them or start to open them and get their fingers caught.

Because your child can choke on the soot and other materials in the fireplace, always keep the fireplace doors closed and locked.

7. Remove all fireplace tools

Typically, these tools have sharp edges and hang on stands that are easily tipped over or knocked into.

8. Clean chimney

Another important aspect in fireplace safety is the maintenance and cleaning of your wood burning chimney.

A clean fireplace and chimney are the best ways to avoid a fire.

Cleaning your chimney once a year is a good idea especially if you tend to have many fires and burn them for longer. The built-up material from these fires will need to be dislodged.

9. Gas fireplace: vented or unvented

In terms of gas fireplace safety, you’ll want to know the difference, and which you prefer, between vented and unvented gas logs (also known as ventless).

There are many differences between vented and unvented gas logs but, the main difference is that unvented gas logs are required to have an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) and a carbon monoxide detector because they are designed to burn their entire gas supply.

You will want to be aware of how long you have burned an unvented gas log as it will deplete the oxygen in your room.

So, after burning for about an hour, you will need to open the window to let fresh air in.

Whether you have a wood burning or gas fireplace, know the specifics about each one, so you are making the safest choice for you and your family.

10. Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms

When dealing with fire in any capacity in your home, it's important to have a working fire extinguisher nearby.

Have working smoke alarms and know the proper smoke alarm placement.

Fireplace safety is essential for keeping your child as safe as he can be. With simple safety elements in place, you will be able to have peace of mind that your family is provided for.

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**Never leave a child unattended around a fire and/or fireplace
despite having implemented fireplace safety measures.**

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