Fireplaces can be a major selling point for homes, and are perfect for
cheering up those dreary winter nights. When there are children in the family,
however, your fireplace may require a few childproofing measures to make sure
that there are no accidents. Here are 10 ways to help make your fireplace a bit
more kid-friendly so that you can keep your little ones safe:
.
Install a Gate – There are several different
models of fireplace gates on the market that are designed to keep the entire
fireplace area out of reach of little ones. Depending on the design of your
fireplace, this may be all you need to ensure that several unsafe aspects of
the fireplace are covered in one fell swoop.
.
Invest in Hearth Padding – Hearth
padding might not be the prettiest thing in the world, but it installs quickly
and is instrumental in protecting new walkers from scrapes and serious spills
against the unforgiving brick of your hearth.
.
Keep Tools Out of Reach – The
decorative stands next to most fireplaces that contain pokers, shovels and
other tools are often overlooked by parents, but they can be very dangerous
when inquisitive little hands are around. These are a particular hazard to
school-aged children, who may be tempted to play with these metal tools and
could end up accidentally causing injury to themselves or others.
.
Install Doors or Grates – Keeping
children out of the fireplace isn’t just a problem when there’s a fire
crackling in it, it can also pose an issue when it isn’t in use; curious kids
typically want to explore, and can end up breathing in harmful substances or
otherwise injuring themselves when there isn’t a door or grate keeping the
fireplace closed off from them. These doors also come in heat-resistant
varieties that can be kept closed while the fireplace is in use, so parents are
able to enjoy the sight of the fire without running the risk of kids falling
into it.
.
Store Ignition Sources Out of Reach – Matches,
lighters, fuels and ignition keys for gas fireplaces should be stored in an
out-of-reach, preferably secret area of your home to keep kids from attempting
to create their own fire while you’re out of the room.
.
Use What You Have – If there isn’t much room in
your budget, blocking access to the fireplace with your existing furniture can
be a good, albeit temporary, solution. Keep your eyes open and you’ll be
surprised what you can come up with.
.
Create Boundaries – As soon as your child is old
enough to understand, teaching them about boundaries and the necessity of
leaving the fireplace alone is one of the absolute best methods of
childproofing. When your child understands and respects those boundaries, you
can start to undo some of your baby-proofing as he or she outgrows them.
.
Determine The Needs of Your Particular Family – If your
fireplace is in a formal living room that’s rarely used, it might be better to
install a lock on that door to create an adults-only zone than it is to install
individual safety measures.
.
Install Door Guards – Fireplaces with existing
folding glass doors should be secured with inexpensive guards that prevent kids
from opening the doors and pinching delicate fingers in the hinges and such.
.
Consider Permanent Solutions – If your
fireplace is non-functional or never used, it might be a good idea to consider
blocking the opening off altogether and lowering the hearth until it’s level
with the floor. Fireplaces that aren’t functional simply aren’t worth the
safety risk they pose.
The amount of childproofing and the measures you take are all a matter
of what works best for your family and home. For some families, a minimal
amount of modification is all that they feel they need, while others completely
overhaul their home when they bring a new bundle of joy into it.
Source: Nanny Pro
Please share
No comments:
Post a Comment