Protect your kids from fireplace dangers

Although a fireplace is more an aesthetic structure in modern homes with central heating, it can still be a common necessity for homeowners living in places with cold weather. More often, it’s used as the focal point in the home where families and friends sit around during a cold day. Many home owners opt for a marble fireplace as its elegance easily blends with most settings. But for homes with small children, fireplaces pose many potential dangers.

a marble fireplace

Help safeguard your children around a fireplace by considering these safety tips.

• Educate your children that the fireplace is not a toy. Inform them that they can get hurt, injured or burned by playing with it.
• As much as possible make the fireplace area a child-free room.
• Install safety barriers around the fireplace, use a metal mesh screen if your fireplace doesn’t have a glass door.
• Fireplace tools should be kept out of children’s reach.
• If you have a traditional fireplace, don’t let your children get near it while you start a fire, never use gasoline or other flammable liquids when starting a fire. Seasoned hardwoods are best recommended for use.
• Never leave your children unattended, keep them away from the fireplace. Never allow them to play near it while it is lit or still hot.
• If your home is installed with electric fires mounted on the walls, never ask children to plug it into the power outlet.
• Do not allow your children to throw papers or other combustible things into the fireplace.
• Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving it.
• Have a fire extinguisher beside or near the fireplace.
• Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Have your fireplace and chimney checked and inspected regularly.

wall mounted electric fires