Childproofing your home is so important and as a parent, I encourage everyone to make sure they make this a priority. No matter what season it may be if you have kids, childproofing should be top of your list. According to the Centers for Disease Control statics 2.3 million children are accidentally injured every year and more than 2,500 are killed. That’s why it’s important to take this matter is serious.
- I’ve made sure to cover all electrical outlets: this will prevent your child from sticking their finger or any other objects in an outlet, use protective coverings.
- I’ve stored household chemicals on higher shelves or cabinets and make sure to purchase cabinet locks or child-proof caps also.
- I keep all medicine out of children’s reach: make sure the bottles have child-proof caps.
- Plus I use safety gates at doorways that lead to stairs, basements, attics, and other places in your home that could be unsafe for your children.
Are you aware 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? You may walk away knowing that your appliance has been turned off but the heat still lingers for up to an hour which still makes it extremely dangerous for your children. You must make sure your children are aware of the danger of touching the glass or a stove, this will help them avoid serious injuries to the body. The best solution to this is basically monitor your children at all times around these type of appliances. In the past several years, reports of burns from touching the glass fronts on gas fireplaces, inserts and stoves involve young children are reported to be high as stated by Centers for Disease Control.
Many people may not be aware of the potential risk of burns by touching the glass and surrounding panels. That’s why the Hearth industry is engaging in a consumer education program to raise awareness of the potential for burns from glass fronts.
This education program will help keep your children, pets and others who may be at-risk safe.
As the Hearth industry say even one burn is too many. I totally agree with them and since January 1, 2015 it is mandatory that all gas-fired, certified fireplaces manufactures will include a safety screen or protective barrier that must be installed. If your product is older than January 1, 2015, aftermarket products such as attachable safety screens, free-standing safety gates and free-standing fireplace screens can be installed for additional caution.
Rigorous testing has already been conducted to ensure that these safety screens are effective in preventing serious, irreversible burns. The industry will be working with fire and building officials to make sure that the standard is incorporated into their codes and with safety organizations, such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission, to promote the safety measures.
The HPBA recommends that consumers with existing fireplaces, stoves or inserts consider installing a protective screen or physical barrier to reduce the risk of serious burns by preventing direct contact with the glass front. Consumers should contact their hearth specialty retailer for advice on the types of safety devices that may be available for their product.
So even though those glass fireplace and stoves are a great accent to your home remember all of these appliances can be dangerous to your children when hot. Make sure to monitor your children and pets at all times and also make sure you have a proper barrier around your glass front fireplace to reduce injuries!
You can learn more at SafeFireplaceTips.com.
For more help on Safety Fireplace Tips check out this Glass Safety Video:
Not only is the
Pilgrim’s has been generous enough to offer one lucky reader a chance to win a customized fireplace screen guard like these that do not attach to the fireplace. The curved frame design on each side extends the front of the screen more than 6 ½” way from the fireplace front. The enclosed sides has a barrier to the fireplace glass front. Screen guards come in a range of sizes and finishes to fit most hearths.
So enter below and Good Luck.
Yes we need to protect those curious little ones. This is a good way.
Great tips! Thanks for the post 🙂
Great tips, for securing your home for any little ones in the house.
You can never be too safe protecting the little ones. When my sons were small I used all the things you discussed above. the one thing I did need was a safety lock for the toilet. Once my son could walk he would gather things up, jewelry, small toys, etc. an flush them. 🙂
There are a lot of great tips here. There is so much to remember when childproofing.
Great tips. I love the fireplace screen guard!
Great tips to use and stay safe with the little ones in the winter months thanks. I love the look of the fire place screen too.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
I need one- we have very young grand kids.
Thank you for the great tips.
Some really useful tips and good reminder for parents
Thanks for the reminders on how important safety is!
Great tips. I think most little kids would be drawn by a fire in a fire place so we need to put up a barrier to keep them safe and to give us a piece of mind.
I like that the curved fireplace screen works for many sizes of fireplace openings. Safety with fires is important. My dad was a fireman and we never left a fire unattended.
i love these ideas. safety is the most important thing for us.
There’s to much activity around our fireplace, kids, dogs ect. Need to protect them from any harm. This is the answer.