A fireplace can become a very dangerous place for children. This is not something that you should dismiss or scoff at with the idea that your child understands fireplace safety and will always follow the rules. Obviously, the younger your children are, the more proactive you’re going to have to be about their safety, but it’s imperative that you follow fireplace safety tips at any age. Here are a few great tips to help keep your child safe around the fireplace:

Keep an Eye on Then

The first tip is absolutely rudimentary and may feel like we’re patronizing you, but simply keep an eye on them. Children should never be left alone near or around any chimney opening or fireplace. It’s not being paranoid, and it’s not something stupid, it’s something that you absolutely need to be focused on. You need to make sure that they don’t go inside the fireplace, even if it’s completely empty. Make sure they don’t touch things they shouldn’t or eat anything from the fireplace box. Be alert, and be careful.

Get a Gate

This is a good thing in regards to pets and children – set up a safety gate. Get a good gate that is not going to just be toppled over the first time your toddler decides to climb it. Toppling a gate is simple if you get a flimsy one. If you have to, make sure that you set up something powerful, and screwed into the outer edges of the opening. Without a gate, you will not have a barrier to protect your kids if you look away for a second.

Teach Them about Fire Safety

Another thing that you should consider is simple, teach them about fire safety. As they grow older, make sure that you teach them about how to avoid getting burned, staying away from, and out of, the fireplace completely. As they grow older, show them how to use the tools near the fireplace, how to calm a fire, and how to protect themselves and household pets from fire. You have to be proactive here and continue to educate them in regards to safety.

The above are just a few tips that you should consider when you have a child near a fireplace. Aside from the tips, make sure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected, cleaned, and ready to use before fall weather hits. You don’t want to have any sort of smoke, or issues when lighting fires and enjoying the peaceful calm that comes with owning a fireplace. If you can’t really protect your child from the fireplace, close it off completely and don’t use it. This may be extreme, but protecting children is paramount when you’re a parent.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that your chimney and fireplace be inspected at least once per year, even with occasional use. Regularly used chimneys and fireplaces should be cleaned at least twice per year to keep an eye on creosote buildup. Ask us about our monthly specials when you call for service. We’re currently offering $20 off of your initial chimney cleaning, and we’ll have another great offer for September.