How to Childproof your Fireplace

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Please note that under no circumstances does any environmental modification or safety barrier installed act as a substitution for an informed caregiver.

Adult supervision is ALWAYS a prerequisite when infants & children are present – with or without baby proofing. Child safety products installed must only be seen as a deterrent.

• Teach a child about the dangers of heat from an early age.
• Install a childproof fireplace screen or a childproof barrier gate that covers the entire fireplace.
• Ensure the Fire screen is attached securely with mounting hooks at all times.
• All our fireplace and gas heater safety screens come complete with wall mounting attachments, ensuring your child or pet are 100% safeguarded.
• Fire screens should allow for a space of atleast 30cm from the Fireplace and 40cm from open flames.
• Circular childproof barriers gates need a circumference of atleast 60cm from the fire source as they are powder coated and the paint surface might get damaged over time.
• Stow logs, matches, fire lighters and fireplace tools out of reach.
• Covering your fireplace during the warmer months with a clear barrier is important when it comes to childproofing your home.  Little one’s love going up to the fireplace to inspect this “little cave,” and to see what they can find to put in their mouths.
• Review your fire escape route. Always have an exit route. Should your home suddenly catch fire, will your family be trapped inside it?
• Make sure that there are keys to security doors in fixed places inside the house other than on your car keys, which you may not be able to find in an emergency.
• Ensure your First Aid Kit is stocked with Burn Aids. Visit: https://www.burnshield.com/products/first-aid/first-aid-kits/ for options.
• Always have a fire extinguisher/s on hand – one on each level of the house. 
• When purchasing a fire extinguisher, make sure it can be used for gas fires as well (Class A, B & C)
• There are small fire extinguishers on the market that are no larger than normal aerosol cans. Have a couple in key areas of the house. You will be very grateful for this when you suddenly need it.
• Install a smoke detector/alarm and test the batteries regularly.
• Keep matches, lighters & candles out of reach completely.
• Chuck out flammable substances.
• Garages are often used as storage spaces for a thousand different things – including half cans of petrol or paraffin or gas bottles. It is never a good idea to keep this kind of thing lying around.
• Even if they don’t cause the fire, they will add many flames to it if something else should ignite.
• Ensure gas bottles are kept in a secure locked cage outside the house inaccessible to children and teenagers.
• Always be vigilant with gas bottles ensuring they sealed properly with no leaks.

Covering your fireplace during the warmer months with a clear barrier is important when it comes to childproofing your home.  Little one’s love going up to the fireplace to inspect this “little cave,” and to see what they can find to put in their mouths.

1. Choking Hazards and Poisonous Debris

• Fireplaces always have dust, bits and pieces of wood/charcoal and other debris
• Gas Fireplaces have stones and other fire toppings that are hazardous in terms of choking and may even be poisonous.

2. Sharp corners and edges on Fireplaces, as well as protruding objects are a hazard.

3. Beehives and Wasp Nests

• Often during months when the fireplace is not in use, bees and wasps like to make their hives and nests in the fireplace chimney.
• Listen out for that buzzing sound before your little one gets stung.
• Please get rid of the nest in a responsible manner by find a specialist beehivet remover in your area.

Measure the area to cover and order a panel of clear Polycarbonate (3mm thickness) to fit snug.  For a temporary installation buy self-adhesive Velcro from your nearest haberdashery and mount the panel to the fireplace. Buy enough Velcro to secure it properly right around.

IMPORTANT Disclaimer:  Clear Polycarbonate Panels are heat resistant BUT NOT FLAME RESISTANT and are only intended for use at times when the fireplace is NOT IN USE or for a fireplace that NEVER gets used.

Childproof Fire Screens take up unnecessary space during warmer months, hence I came up with this solution.

Head on over to this article by CLICKING HERE

• Teach a child about the dangers of heat from an early age.
• Have emergency numbers for your area saved on your phone as well as a printed copy on every level of your house for the Nanny or an older child to have access to. NB NB NB! Do NOT take for granted that these numbers are always in use. Update these numbers regularly by phoning & checking that they exist; however, try not to hold up the lines in case of a real emergency incoming call. 
• Review your fire escape route. Always have an exit route. Should your home suddenly catch fire, will your family be trapped inside it? Make sure that there are keys to security doors in fixed places inside the house other than on your car keys, which you may not be able to find in an emergency.
• Ensure your First Aid Kit is stocked with Burn Aids. Visit: https://www.burnshield.com/products/first-aid/first-aid-kits/ for options.
• Always have a fire extinguisher/s on hand – one on each level of the house. When purchasing a fire extinguisher, make sure it can be used for gas fires as well (Class A, B & C)
• There are small fire extinguishers on the market that are no larger than normal aerosol cans. Have a couple in key areas of the house. You will be very grateful for this when you suddenly need it. And keep all matches and lighters away from children. These are not toys.
• Install a smoke detector/alarm and test the batteries regularly.
• Don’t carry hot food or beverages and your baby at the same time.
• Keep hot food and beverages away from edges of tables and counters. Always test hot food & beverages, especially when reheated in the microwave.
• Don’t make hot coffee, tea, or hot chocolate in a ceramic mug that one normally uses. Consider using mugs with tight-fitting lids, like travel mugs, when children are around instead. Got a kid? Get a lid!
• It takes less than a second to get a third degree burn from 68°C heated water. Coffee is often served at 79°C, making it high-risk for causing immediate severe scald burns.
• Never place hot liquids on low coffee tables or end tables that are in reach for a young child.
• Don’t hold baby while cooking at stove, ideally the Kitchen must be closed off completely with a child proof gate.
• If possible, create a “No Kids Zone” in the kitchen, by installing a child proof safety gate. Safe play areas should be out of the traffic path between the stove and sink, where children can play and be supervised.
• Ironing should only be done in a room that is inaccessible to a child.
• The kettle should be placed out of reach at the back of the counter with the cord shortened with double sided Velcro and also out of reach.
• Always turn a stove off at the main switch.
• Turn pot handles toward back of stove.
• Cook on the back burner when possible.
• Always use oven mitts or potholders when moving pots of hot liquid or hot food.
• Secure oven door with a Dreambaby Ezy-Check Swivel Appliance Latch and a Baby Proof Transparent Oven Door Guard
• Childproof the stove knobs with Childproof Stove Knob Covers to prevent a child from accidently turning a stove place or the oven on
• When microwaving food, steam inside covered containers can quickly reach over 93°C and burn your hands and face. Tip: Puncture plastic wrap or use vented containers to allow steam to escape while cooking. Alternatively wait at least one minute before removing the cover. When removing covers, lift the corner farthest from you and away from your face and hands. Microwaves can cause scald burns from spills, steam, and splashes, be very cautious.
• Use heat sensitive spoons when feeding, to prevent burning sensitive little mouths.
• Put tablecloths away, they can be pulled – use non slip place mats instead.
• Keep heaters, candles & paraffin stoves well away from children. Invest in an electric wall panel heater, these are safe to use around children and pets and have other major advantages. For larger rooms that need more heat install a “bathroom heater” at the top of the wall with a pull switch, you will need to appoint an accredited installer to install this
• Ensure all electrical cords/adaptors are neat and organized; Use trunking, electrical storage boxes, double sided Velcro and plug covers, both 3 pin and 2 pin. Get rid of unnecessary extensions and appliance cords, especially behind the TV Cabinet and in the Nursery
• When using gas heaters (not ideal), make sure the connection to the gas bottle at the back is safe and secure.  Gas must be turned off when not in use.  Enclose the front with a Gas Heater screen that is securely attached. READ FULL ARTICLE ON GAS HEATER SAFETY HERE
• Avoid using any explosives such as fireworks near children & animals. These pose a fire hazard as well as a deafening hazard to children & can create anxiety & fear.
• Keep matches, lighters & candles out of reach completely.
• Empty all ashtrays immediately after use; never leave a cigarette burning in the ashtray.
• Chuck out flammable substances. Garages are often used as storage spaces for a thousand different things – including half cans of petrol or paraffin or gas bottles. It is never a good idea to keep this kind of thing lying around. Even if they don’t cause the fire, they will add many flames to it if something else should ignite.
• Ensure Gas Bottles are kept in a secure locked cage outside the house inaccessible to children and teenagers.
• Always be vigilant with gas bottles ensuring they sealed properly with no leaks.
• Supervision is the single most important factor in preventing tap water scalds. If you must leave the bathroom while a bathing a child, take them with you.
• Test the temperature of the water in the bathtub with your elbow or hand with spread fingers. The water should feel warm, NOT hot to touch. OR Use a bath thermometer  to ensure water is 35 to 37 degrees Celsius.
• Water pressure may fluctuate due to running water in other parts of the home. Avoid flushing toilets, running water, or using the dishwasher or washing machine while someone is showering to prevent sudden surges of scalding water.