Everyone appreciates the coziness and warmth of a fireplace. However, you might be reluctant to start a fire if you have a child because it can be risky. Babyproofing your fireplace may seem apparent, but it's essential to childproofing your house. Although it poses a serious risk to curious young children, the fireplace is an important feature of your house.
Babyproofing a fireplace might be more complex than you assume because the equipment comes in different sizes and forms. In addition, most baby gates are designed to fit over doorways and prevent access to staircases.
Most likely, you're trying to figure out how to combine the best of both worlds. However, it is comparatively simple to create a babyproof fireplace. Of course, it would help if you did a few things to make it safe, but no significant adjustments will be required.
This article will discuss how to make your fireplace child-safe and safe to use when you have children. So be ready to appreciate a fireplace once more. To keep your child safe near your fireplace, start by doing these quick and easy actions.
Think Like a Child When Safeguarding a Fireplace
You would be astonished at how many injuries still involve fireplace fixtures, even in living rooms that have been babyproofed, even though it should be simple to babyproof something as dangerous as a fireplace. Kids can be so creative in becoming a magnet to dangerous things.
Therefore, adopt a babylike perspective and inspect your fireplace on your hands and knees. Play with the doors or other openings to find pinch hazards, and feel the hearth for any nails or jagged, sharp edges. It's unlikely that your kid will circumvent any security measures you've implemented, but it can still happen. So, instead of completely limiting access, implement a few clever adjustments. You could save a life.
Limit the Access to the Fireplace
The less opportunity your crawling or walking baby has to access the fireplace, the lower the harm it poses.
There are several techniques to restrict access to the fireplace. Some parents always keep the living room door closed because they don't even want to consider tampering with the fireplace. Since this solution is only sometimes workable, many people choose baby gates or fireplace screens instead.
You can use baby gates to keep your child in a specific area of the room or home or to block off the fireplace. Depending on your home's layout and what is practicable, you can employ any strategy.
Types of Baby Gates for Fireplaces
Baby gates are the simplest and most obvious way to babyproof a fireplace, so let's take a moment to discuss the many types of baby gates and how best to utilize them. A high-quality gate alone can safely restrict most fires, so investing in a quality product is worthwhile.
Multi-Panel Gate
These gates are excellent for limiting your child to a small enclosure or restricting the entire fireplace. They are small enough to prevent access to your entire fireplace and have an auto-locking mechanism.
Long Adjustable Gate
The extremely long adjustable gate is another excellent access blocker for fireplaces. Typically, it has more panels than a multi-panel gate would. However, it works well for wide, open doorways and entrances and is simple to move around and adapt.
Everyone enjoys having a spacious, airy feeling in their home, but babyproofing becomes easier with a gate like this.
Tall Doorway Gate
You don't need anything large or complex if you prefer to partition off the living area rather than completely restrict access to the fireplace. The solution is a sturdy, safe compression gate that fits your entrance and is tall enough to keep curious babies out.
A wall protector can significantly add support if you are concerned about your walls or the durability of your gates. They are made to fit most baby gates but verify the product details and your gate of choice to ensure they will fit your gate perfectly.
Childproofing a Hearth
The step in front of the fireplace box is known as the hearth. If the hearth is not adequately covered, it can appear to your child like a terrifying monster. Typically, this is where you keep fireplace accessories or trinkets. It typically has two corners on each side and is composed of brick or concrete.
Here are some safety precautions you may take to protect your child and childproof your fireplace.
Option for Tubing Guards to Cover the Edges
Babies fall. A lot. every few minutes, roughly. Their delicate, precious little heads are at risk from rough, hard, or sharp surfaces. If your infant trips while crawling or toddling, head injuries can be avoided by covering and softening the edges of the hearth.
There are a few methods to achieve this, but lengthy tubing guards are preferred. Additionally, you can buy corner-only protection, which is excellent for hardwood hearths. Then, you are ready to go once you apply them on the jagged edges.
Make the Fireplace Surface Soft
You can slide a rug over a flat hearth and not rise off the ground. No issue, correct? However, it is a little more complicated for different hearth styles.
Some individuals use their creativity to create DIY couches, play areas, or other decorative accents out of soft, secure materials. This could be your upcoming project if you enjoy crafting. To avoid them catching fire, you must remove any combustible items from the area if you intend to use your fireplace. This approach is only truly effective if your fireplace is off.
Restrict Access to the Hearth
As always, the simplest response is to limit access to the danger. If you use a baby gate, you likely already have a solution. However, if you have additional materials for a safe and fun activity, it wouldn't hurt to take extra precautions when babyproofing.
How to Childproof the Fireplace Doors?
Did you ever get your skin squeezed into a door when you were young? Even adults find it to be an unpleasant sensation, and children do not handle it well. In addition, cuts, bruising, or puncture wounds can result from pinched skin. To top it all off, fireplace doors heat up, posing a burn risk.
Here are several solutions to make sure your kid doesn't experience this.
Fireplace Lock
You can acquire a fireplace lock or baby gates to keep your toddler away from the fireplace doors. However, since they do not stop your youngster from getting burned on the hot glass during or after use, there are better solutions than fireplace locks.
However, a fireplace lock should work if you won't be using your fireplace and you want to stop your child from messing with the doors. They can only be used on doors with horizontal handles, though.
When not in use, your fireplace's doors should always be closed. Keep them open, and your youngster far away while a fire is crackling. A live fire's doors being closed up can render carbon monoxide poisoning more likely.
Test the Fireplace Door Yourself
If you have explored your fireplace well, this step is already complete. Well done! If not, shake your doors and check them out with your hands. Is there anything that would be threatening to your child? Note it down and have it rectified.
Although having a babyproof fireplace is crucial, doing so is relatively easy. Small adjustments and warnings about the dangers of a fireplace may be sufficient to keep kids safe. Also, always watch your child if you have a fire going on.
Even if you have warned your child that a fireplace can be dangerous, you still need to keep an eye on them. Children are curious and daring. They could try to get a closer look at the fire if you're not there, which could lead to trouble. However, following the safety mentioned above and childproofing advice, you can keep your child secure.
Vertical has been in the chimney care business for over 35 years, and we have devoted our time and energy to bring safety to your home. We have spent all 35 years making sure we give our customers the best possible service. Take your chimney to a higher standard with Vertical and contact us today to get a free quote!
