Protecting Children Around Fireplaces
Fireplaces create a cozy environment during the colder months. It’s an added benefit for homeowners around the world, but there are some safety precautions to take into consideration. This is especially true if you have children at home or frequently have young visitors. There are a few steps to take that can lessen the safety concerns outlined below.
Safety Precautions For Fire Safety
Invest in A Safety Gate
Many times, fireplaces don’t include a gate or safety features, especially if homeowners don’t have young children at home. There are different designs, colors, and styles to meet your home’s style. But they are all typically made of a metal that can conceal sparks and prevent little fingers from touching hot surfaces or flames.
Consider Cushioning Your Hearth
Often, hearths are made up of jagged hard surfaces, such as stone. Other surfaces, such as granite or tile, usually have sharp edges that can lead to accidents. If kids get close to the fire, they can stub their toes or trip and hit their head on the hearth edge. Luckily, there are corner or edge protectors to minimize this risk which is a good investment for everyone’s safety.
No Running Near the Fireplace
While it’s difficult to control little kids when they are excited, it’s important to make sure the fun is had somewhere else. You can encourage fun outside, in a playroom, or a basement, but ensure that they never run or horseplay around the fireplace. This should be a rule regardless of if a fire is lit or not due to the potential jagged edges.
Don’t Leave Your Fire Unattended
Some heat sources, such as wood stoves or pellet stoves, have safety features built into auto-shut off if issues occur. Traditional fireplaces, on the other hand, don’t have those safety features. Because of this, it’s important to avoid leaving fires unattended. Even going to bed when they are still lit but dying out isn’t the best situation. It’s best to make sure embers are out before leaving the fire to go to bed or otherwise.
Make Sure Annual Maintenance Is Performed
Lastly, and arguably most importantly, a regular maintenance plan is the foundation for a good and safe fireplace. While this doesn’t specifically help just children safety, it impacts them as well. It’s easy for homeowners to get overwhelmed by tasks that pile up and some tasks, such as fireplace maintenance, may get lost in the mix.
Chimney professionals, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) highly recommend that homeowners keep up with annual chimney inspections and sweeps. Not only can this minimize the risk of smelly and smoky fires, it also mitigates house fire risks and the likelihood of inhaling toxic fumes. Annual chimney inspections allow chimney professionals to get their eyes on the inside and outside of chimneys to pinpoint early signs of deterioration or broken components. Catching a small issue early can save homeowners money in the long run by avoiding larger issues down the road.
Need to Schedule Maintenance? Call BF Today
If you need to book annual maintenance, don’t forget to call your chimney professional today. If you’re in the Burlington area, call Burlington Fireplace to schedule an appointment for your annual chimney inspection or any other chimney needs. We provide service to customers throughout southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, including Sturtevant, WI; Rockford, IL; Union Grove, WI; and Des Plaines, IL. No matter if you’re looking to install a new fireplace or schedule maintenance, we can help.