Fireplace & Wood Stove Safety

Wood Stoves and Fireplaces represent significant hazards to toddlers and young children. The first and most obvious one is the danger of being burnt by the fire in a Fireplace or the hot surface of a Wood Stove or Gas Fireplace.

Lets deal with Wood Stoves first. Almost all Wood Stoves are installed on a brick or stone surface. Some are raised and some are at floor level. The best solution is a HearthGate, it surround the Wood Stove and should be installed at least two feet away from the stove to make sure that a child can not reach the hot surface through the the bars of the gate. This solution guards against burns and the possibility of a toddler falling against the hard surface of the stove or hearth. To the best of my knowledge this is the only practical solution.

Wood burning fireplaces also represent considerable risk to children. As with Wood Stoves the possibility of burns is a major concern and in most cases there is also a raise hearth to contend with. The best solution here is also the HearthGate. In some cases parents may be looking for a different solution. If that is the case for you I would suggest a Fireplace Lock and a Hearth Pad. Hearth Guards as they are also called come in various shapes sizes and colors. Some cover the edge and top of the hearth, some attach with adhesive and some clamp on, you can get them with either standard or oversized edges. Hearth Pads are easy to install and can be kept clean with a damp rag.

The last hazard is the Gas Fireplace. These are exceptionally dangerous. Many generate massive amounts of heat and their surfaces would case instantaneous severe burns. The best solution would be not to use it and just turn of the gas. At the very least make sure that the remote control or switch that controls it is out of reach. The best solution is the same as the others. Install a HearthGate its simple the best solution.

A Safe Environment For Your Baby Within The Household

A great way to create a safe place for your baby within the normal chaotic household is through the use of Play Yards. Play Yards come in many shapes and sizes and most of them do a great job of creating a safe place for your child to play. They are useful when you can not give your child the full attention they need such as when you are showering , cooking, checking your email or performing some other task that requires too much of your attention.

Purchase a play yard that is at least 28-30 inches high and that has a door to walk through, lifting your child over the side simply gives them the idea that the way out is to climb. Avoid the colorful play yards that seem to have activities built in, they are usually not tall enough and many also have foot holds that your child may use to climb the sides.

Successful use of a play yard depends on you. You need to be consistent with its use so that your baby does not object. Try to set up a routine and stick to it. Let your baby know that their play yard is their space to play safely.

Many parents choose to install a soft foam Play Mat under their baby's play yard, make sure that the play mat is rated for age o and up, many are age 3 and up, this is not a developmental issue it is a matter of safety.

I have 3 favorite play yards one is the Soft Sided Play Yard , the second if the Play Den and the last is the Metal or Wood SuperYards. The soft sided play area is the largest right out of the box but both others have extension avaiable.

I hope this gives you the information you need to make an objective decision.