Fireplace safety is critical, as serious injuries can occur in a split second.
Fireplaces are a beautiful way to add warmth and ambiance to your home, but only if they are properly maintained and everyone in your family is safe. While many people understand the importance of babyproofing their fireplaces and chimneys, they do not always realize that the same care should be taken throughout childhood. Fireplace safety is critical, as serious injuries can occur in a split second. What are some of the best ways that you can childproof your fireplace?
Restrict Fireplace Access
One of the easiest ways to childproof any area of the home is by restricting access altogether. When it comes to fireplace safety, this can be an effective strategy. Using a baby gate to prevent your child from walking over in the area of the room where the fireplace is can help. Additionally, multiple types of gates are designed specifically for placing in front of fireplaces. These can prevent children and pets from being able to get inside of the fireplace and get hurt.
Think Like a Toddler
Toddlers and kids love to explore, making it challenging for some parents to anticipate what types of injuries might happen in any given area. When you are childproofing your fireplaces or chimneys, try to think like a toddler. Use your hands to touch all of the exposed surfaces around your fireplace. Are there any nails hanging out? Are there any sharp or rough edges that could hurt your palms? Take your time; it is better to be overly aggressive with fireplace safety than relax.
Don’t Forget the Fireplace Doors
Most fireplaces have fireplace doors that provide minimal protection between the fire and people outside. However, these can be major pinch hazards. When planning for fire safety, ensure the fireplace doors will not harm your child if they touch them. Fireplace locks may stop your child from opening the doors, but they often heat up when a fire is lit. Educating your child about fireplace safety and using other methods to restrict access to the doors can be more effective.
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When you need a trusted company for your chimney inspection and chimney cleaning, you can trust our team. Champion Chimneys, Inc. is a fully licensed, bonded, and insured chimney service company that has served customers in Baltimore County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County, Maryland, since 2001. Our team is trained and certified by Certified Chimney Professionals, Inc. (CCP, Inc.). We specialize in all aspects of your chimney system. Whether you need chimney and flue cleaning service or a full chimney rebuild or inspection, contact us at 443-Chimney today and let us fix all your chimney problems. Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.