Fireplaces provide ample heat and warmth during harsh cold seasons, but you can never go careless with fireplaces and toddlers in the same house. With young children playing near the fireplace hearth, numerous accidents can happen that could endanger the lives of your little ones.
This guide will shed light on how to baby-proof fireplace hearth for the safety of your babies.
Baby-proof Fireplace and Fireproof Gate
A fireproof gate will allow you to cover the fireplace hearth with a fence that would keep small kids away from the dangerous area. You could also use the same barrier to create a separate space where the child can play freely without going close to the fireplace.
Installing a fireproof gate is very convenient. Also, it is usually very durable and sturdy, so your child cannot push it down. You can either choose to put the gate around the hearth or build a fence away from the fireplace shielding the child within certain boundaries. Both types of gates will protect your toddler effectively and give you peace of mind as you move around the house. But what are the other aspects when you want to baby-proof your fireplace? Here we will tell you about the importance of a childproof fireplace screen, fireplace safety hints for your toddler, and many more, so stay with us!
Install a Play Pen to Keep your Toddler Away
If you are worried about how to babyproof a fireplace hearth, then buy a playpen immediately. You can use the playpen to build boundaries around your child. Toddlers often express pleasure when they have their own private space that gives them a home-like feeling and a sense of ownership in addition to protection.
This method would help you to prevent any harmful accidents. Buy a playpen that provides suitable height, durability, and non-slip pads that remain attached to the floor. That way, the toddler won’t be able to climb on or knock the fence down.
You must ensure that your child stays inside the playpen while you’re busy around the house and the fireplace is being lit. This is the most common baby-proof tip when installing a playpen.
Get a Childproof Fireplace Screen
A fireplace screen is a great solution to cover the hearth properly. With many unique, lavish, and modern designs out on the market, you can pick a suitable screen for your fireplace hearth that ensures durability and concealment.
Your kids won’t be able to reach the fire as the screen would engulf the hearth securely. You can look for styles that create the utmost convenience for you. Some designs offer a gate-like opening that allows you to enhance the heat by adding more wood. And this gate-like opening will be definitely worth it when choosing the baby-proof household units.
There are also various other safety features for toddlers to check out for. One is the material of the fireplace hearth. If you have a hardwood or tile floor, then a stone or brick hearth is recommended. These materials can help dissipate heat in case of any errant sparks. You can also find electric fireplaces with a glass front screen. This is a great choice if you have small kids since the glass doesn’t get hot to the touch.
You can pick and choose a sturdy and eye-catching fireplace screen for baby-proofing the hearth.
How to Babyproof Fireplace Hearth When it isn’t Burning
You might already know that hearth protects your room from catching fire as it prevents the embers from reaching outside. People usually construct a flat or a raised slab-like fireplace hearth.
The fireplace hearth also requires babyproofing so that the kids don’t trip over it. The best and most effective method is putting a gate or a fence over the area to create a barrier that keeps the young ones away. However, there are other ways too.
Let’s see what steps you can take to baby-proof your fireplace hearth and protect your child and baby-proof the house for your calmness and the child`s safety.
Flat Fireplace Hearth
Buy a soft and plush mat to cover the flat hearth area, which would allow your kid to safely land on the cushiony material after falling without getting injured.
Caution: Remember that you can’t place the mat while the fire burns and only use it when the fireplace is burned out.
Raised Fireplace Hearth for Toddlers
You might cover the edges of your coffee table to fend off injuries, but your raised hearth could also cause your kid to trip over so, you must conceal the corners of the fireplace hearth with hearth pads.
Hearth pads would soften the edges. Also, they are flame-resistant so, you can keep them on while the fire burns inside the fireplace as those pads won’t be affected by burning embers.
Tip: Use a tape with double-sides to firmly secure hearth pads in place in order to baby-proof it.
Get a Hearth Cushion for the Top
Playful babies who do not get tired of exploration might try to climb the hearth’s surface. So, to fend off unwanted accidents, you might want to cover its top surface to baby-proof it as well.
A hearth cushion is a large plush pad that you put on the top of the fireplace hearth. Your toddler won’t get injured even if he climbs the raised slab because the soft foam will keep him safe and protected. Also, it won’t catch fire due to its flame-resistant material.
What are Fireplace Safety Tips for your Baby?
As the weather gets colder, many families begin to use their fireplaces more often. If you have a baby in your home, it's important to take some extra precautions to ensure their safety. Here are some tips for fireplace safety for babies:
- Keep any and all flammable materials away from the fireplace. This includes items like newspapers, magazines, and even furniture.
- Install a grate in front of the fireplace to keep your baby from getting too close.
- Never leave your baby unattended near the fireplace. Even if it's just for a few seconds, they could get hurt.
- Teach your older children about fireplace safety so they can help watch over younger siblings.
By following these tips, you can help keep your baby safe around the fireplace this winter. And there is no need for a fireproof gate if your kids are conscious enough about the hazards.
The Main Risk - Carbon Monoxide?
Monoxide poisoning is one of the top dangers of having a fireplace in your home. Each year, many children and adults are poisoned by carbon monoxide gas. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. In severe cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to death.
To protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning, it is important to take some simple precautions. When you are not using your fireplace, be sure to keep the damper closed. This will prevent outside air from coming into the home and mixing with the dangerous gases produced by the fire. You should also install a carbon monoxide detector near your fireplace. This will alert you if there are high levels of carbon monoxide in the air.
Don`t forget that another danger of having a fireplace is the risk of burns. To prevent burns, you should keep all combustible materials at least three feet away from the fire. This includes furniture, drapes, and rugs. You should also teach your children to stay away from the fire.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of young children is an immense responsibility that requires parents to always be on their toes. Babyproofing hazardous stuff is essential in all houses with toddlers, and likewise, your fireplace hearth also needs childproofing.
After going through all the methods on how to baby-proof fireplace hearth, we would recommend either the fireplace gate or the hearth screen because both can ensure ultimate advantages and effective results. And don`t forget to teach your kid to stay away from fire!