As always, restricting access to the risk is the easiest solution. If you’re using a baby gate, you probably have this covered already. Even so, it wouldn’t hurt to go the extra mile in babyproofing, especially if you have extra materials for something fun and safe. How to Babyproof the Fireplace Doors Sadly, there aren’t many options for babyproofing a peninsula fireplace. The stunning extended design is precisely what makes it such a risk, so your only option is to restrict access by using a baby gate. The chances of your child thwarting whatever safeguards you’ve set aren’t high, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Instead of restricting access entirely, make a few smart changes. You could literally save a life. 2. Make a List of Hidden Dangers If you have a flat hearth that isn’t raised from the ground, you can slide a rug over it. No problem, right? Well, for other hearth styles, it is a little more complicated than that.

You can also choose to have glass doors fitted to the opening of your traditional fireplace and provide a barrier between the fireplace and the room to help prevent cold drafts. If not, give your doors a shake, and run your hands over them. Anything feel dangerous? Make a note of it. 2. Restrict AccessYou can prevent access to the fireplace in a few ways. Some parents don’t even want to think about messing with the fireplace, so instead, they keep the living room door closed at all times. This solution isn’t always practical, so many opt for a baby gate or fireplace screens.

The only downside that we’ve found when using our Chimney Sheep draft excluder is that the ends of it can become frayed, but this doesn’t seem to affect the performance of it once it’s up the chimney. In hindsight, that fireplace wasn’t very well protected, and I wouldn’t want my kids to do what I did. This is how I knew right away I needed to sort something out when it came to my hearth. Here are some protective measures you can take. 1. Soften the Edges By cutting out draughts, you can keep your home nice and cosy. You will also use less heating, which is a win win: reducing your bills and helping the planet. The climate is changing due to emissions of greenhouse gases resulting from human activity, and heating buildings currently accounts for more than a third of the UK’s emissions. Here are some workarounds to ensure this doesn’t happen to your child. 1. Test Out Your Fireplace Doors It may seem obvious, but babyproofing your fireplace is a crucial step in childproofing your home. The fireplace is a significant hazard to curious infants but also a big part of your home.

DIY Removable Cover

Any hard, sharp, or rough surface is a risk to their soft, adorable little heads. Covering and softening the sides of your hearth will prevent head injuries if your little one stumbles while crawling or toddling around. So think like a baby, and get on your hands and knees to give your fireplace a once-over. Feel the hearth for any nails or rough, sharp edges, and play with the doors or any openings to identify pinch risks. Get to know your fireplace. This one is a no-brainer, so we’ll keep it short. The less chance your walking or crawling baby has of getting to the fireplace, the less threat it contains. A draft stopper for your fireplace can make a noticeable difference to the temperature of a room or even your whole house. We’ve definitely noticed that our living room hasn’t been so cold since we started using a draft stopper within our open fireplace. We’ve thoroughly explored this subject to find solutions that don’t involve getting rid of the fireplace or holding off on using it until your child is older.