When it comes to keeping your baby safe, nothing else could be more important. This is especially true if your little one will be around any type of fire. Whether you are in your living room enjoying a cozy fire, heat with a wood stove electric fireplace, having fun around a fire pit, or enjoying a backyard barbeque, you want to know your baby is protected against danger. The best way to do this is with a fireplace safety gates for baby.
Childproofing Basics
Fireplace safety gates for babies are simply devices that keep your child at a safe distance from open flames. It is a play yard with panels that have been arranged in a way that guards your entire fireplace from the baby by creating a boundary around it. Instead of keeping your child inside of a play area, the gate is used to keep them at a safe distance away, where they can’t reach into the flames or fall onto the hearth and get hurt.
You can also purchase fireplace screens for baby proofing your fireplace. These screens provide an elegant and stylish way to keep your child safe around the fireplace, and it is a great way to find peace of mind when your baby is playing in a room that includes a cozy fire.
Other Dangers
While fireplace safety gates for babies can help you avoid injuries, it is important to know that there are other things to consider when baby proofing such as carbon monoxide dangers and hearth safety.
Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas that can not only make it difficult for you and your child to breathe, but it can be deadly. Carbon monoxide can build-up in your living room if the exhausts and vents are clogged. Danger can be avoided with routine open hearth fireplace cleanings and by installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home. This will keep not only your baby but your entire family safe.
It isn’t enough to simply install a safety gate around the corner fireplace when you have a roaring fire in place. If you don’t have a hearth gate up to keep your baby back at all times, you will want to add a soft mat or cushions to the hearth to soften such a hard surface. Toddlers stumble easily, and they can hit their heads on a hearth quite easily. Be sure to remove all cushions and mats before starting a fire, and return your child-proof gate to keep the baby back.
Buying Guide for a Fireplace Babygate
Before deciding exactly which fireplace safety gate for babies is right for you and your child, there are some important things to consider. You want to ensure your little ones are being kept as safe as possible when near flames. This is achieved by knowing what materials work best, that your new baby gate meets all safety certification, and that you will be using it properly.
Material
You want a durable material, whether you are choosing a fence hearth gate or bbq fire gate, or fireplace metal gate, that will stand up to your rambunctious baby. You will find these baby gates made out of tubular steel, wood, wrought iron, and plastic. While all of these materials are used to create reliable and strong barriers, plastic is best left for step over doorway gates. A plastic construction would be at risk of melting if you place it too close to the fire. When choosing from among the other materials, think about how you intend to use the gate and how it will look.
Safety Certification
Safety certification is the most significant feature of a baby gate. Whether you choose a wall mount gate or a pressure gate, it is a must that it meets all safety standards. Look for a JPMA certified hearth gate. This means it has met all international voluntary safety standards, in addition to those required by law. Look for a sticker on the gate saying it has been tested for high safety standards.
Proper Use
Most fireplace gates are designed to hold back children that are six to 24 months old. Children older than that are usually big enough, and smart enough, that the gate will do little good. This is often stated as a disclaimer in the owner’s manual. Check the locking system mechanism before using it, and don’t use it if any parts are missing. Keep the gate far enough from the fire for it to be safe, and always use adult supervision around a fire, even with the gate. Read the manual that comes with your baby gate and use it accordingly. This includes adjusting it as needed and checking all wall mounts. Never clean your gate with bleach, ammonia, or chemical cleaners. A damp rag will be safer around children than harsh chemicals.
Top Picks When it Comes to Fireplace Safety Gates for Babies
Toddleroo by North States 3-in-1 Metal Superyard
This is an attractive beige gate that includes an easy access walk through the door. North States understands how hard it is to keep track of young children. Kids are experts at getting into places they shouldn’t, and they move so fast that they disappear in a flash. This gate will keep children at a safe distance from your fireplace so you can relax.
The sturdy design features a mounting kit that works well with angular walls as well as straight walls. This makes it a wonderful and versatile option. At a height of 30 inches, it is strong enough to hold the baby safely back from flames. Child locks are included.
When extended to its full length, it measures 144 inches, but it can be shortened by removing extra panels. When not used as a fireplace gate, it can be used to create a play space with enough square feet to function as a large playpen. Extra panels are available for purchase from sites like Amazon if you need additional length.
One of the only drawbacks is the weight of the gate. It is a little on the heavy side. This makes it hard to move from one place to another.
Toddleroo by North States 3-in-1 Wood Superyard
This lovely gate is offered in a beautiful stained wood finish that proves baby proof devices do not have to look ugly or out of place. This gate has a very natural style that looks wonderful in your home, and it adds a touch of warmth rather than creating a sterile environment.
At a height of 30 inches, this gate can be safely used on any type of flooring without causing damage. This includes tile, carpet, and hardwood. It includes double locks for added security and peace of mind. This gate serves double duty as a free-standing play yard when not being used around the fireplace.
Toddleroo by North States 3-in-1 Arched Decor Metal Superyard
This superyard features an attractive bronze finish, and it is extra tall so that curious toddlers can’t climb over it. It provides convenience for adults with a door panel wide enough to allow grown-ups through easily. It also provides all of the safety features this company is known for.
While this is a beautiful option when protecting your baby from the dangers of the fireplace, it only spans 72 inches. Be sure to measure your own fireplace, as this may not be long enough for bigger ones.
Regalo 192-Inch Super Wide Adjustable Baby Gate and Play Yard
The Regalo adjustable gate is ideal for babies between six months and 24 months old. It is hardware mounted with just the use of a screwdriver for additional security and has a sturdy steel frame construction. Best of all, even with its durable construction, it still looks attractive in any home.
A versatile gate, you will find that you can use this gate in many ways. When not in use for fireplace safety, it can be used as a freestanding child’s play space or to block dangerous stairs. This gate can extend to a length of 192 inches and allows easy access for adults with a gate height of 28 inches.
Kidco Auto-Close Baby Gate
Kidco understands the importance of convenience when it comes to having babies or toddlers in the home. While you want to keep them safe, you need to be able to move freely about your home. The handy auto-close feature eliminates the worry over forgetting to close the door behind you.
This adaptable fireplace gate for babies can be used around the fireplace as well as to block other off-limit areas where children can get hurt. It easily surrounds hearths up to six feet wide, and the black finish mimics the look of wrought iron. The five interlocking panels are each 24 inches wide by 29 inches high. A movable door can be placed wherever it works best for you. The strong tubular aluminum construction is heat resistant, and it comes with all necessary mounting hardware for walls.
Dreambaby Royale Converta 3 in 1 Fireplace Gate
Six panels are used to create this 151-inch wide fireplace gate with clean lines that make it an attractive piece. If this isn’t wide enough, additional panels are sold separately on Amazon so that you can create a larger area for play.
This gate can be used as a free-standing play area or used as a fireplace gate with the included hardware mounting kit. A stay-open door is ideal for when children are napping so that you can move about the house freely.
The durable metal construction is sturdy enough to keep children safe, and when not in use, it easily folds up. This makes it the perfect gate to take along with you when traveling.
Dreambaby Mayfair Hearth Baby Gate
When babyproofing your home, this extra wide baby gate is a stylish play yard that is well suited as a fireplace barrier, but it can be used in other areas of the home too.
The long-lasting, configurable metal construction is very sturdy, and it withstands high temperatures. There will be no worries about parts melting or the gate getting too hot. It spans 147.5 inches, and it has a height of 29.5 inches.
It includes six panels. One of these panels serves as a walk-through door. The gate can be freestanding, but it does come with hardware for mounting it to the wall.
Baby Dan Flex Best Fireplace Baby Gate
Baby Dan is considered one of the best baby gate manufacturers in Europe. This particular gate is extra wide, and it looks attractive with its black matte finish.
When it comes to child safety, this gate creates a perfect space around the fireplace or woodstove. It includes an easy accessible 28.4-inch wide entry door with a double latching mechanism for additional safety.
Your purchase includes two small panels and two wider panels for flexibility in design and layout. The hardware for mounting it to the wall comes with it. This gate also serves double duty as a room divider when not needed around the fireplace.
Best Choice Products Baby Safety Hearth Fence
The Best Choice products baby safety fence hearth gate bbq fire gate is advertised for use both indoors and outdoors when it comes to keeping children from reaching open flames. This configurable hearth barrier includes adjustable mounts to ensure the security of the tubular steel frame construction.
This baby gate extends to 122 inches. You can use it straight across a room, around a fireplace, or to create a barrier around a firepit. The gate has a quick-release handle for easy accessibility.
The only negative characteristic of this gate is that the hinges are plastic. Keep your eye on these to make sure they don’t give way or crack.
An Electric Fireplace as an Alternative
An excellent alternative to baby proofing an actual fireplace is to take advantage of an electric fireplace. Today’s electric fireplaces have the look and feel of a real fire without the worries about young children getting hurt.
Overall, they are a much safer option than an actual fireplace. Homeowners love that they are easy to install and provide extra heat. With so many wonderful features, it is surprising that electric fireplaces are inexpensive and simple to use. There are no real flames to worry about, and they are cool to the touch. Children won’t get burned, which is so important for homes with toddlers and babies.
There are several different styles of electric fireplaces available, so it is easy to find one that will fit in with your home’s existing decor. The Magikflame brand offers many such options for you to choose from.
This is a very realistic brand of electric fireplaces. They provide you with the look of life-like flames that are created with state-of-the-art patented holographic technology. This is combined with the sounds of a real fireplace for a truly authentic experience. You can even use a scent module to recreate the smell of fresh-cut pine.
No Chimney Needed
Electric fireplaces require no chimney or venting. This isn’t required because there are no actual flames or smoke. An added benefit is that you will have fewer labor expenses when it comes to cleaning and better air quality. No dangerous fumes like carbon monoxide or formaldehyde are expelled. This is wonderful news for those suffering from asthma or allergies but still want to enjoy the look and feel of a fireplace.
Simulated Flames
Realistic flames are created by using a motor and a rotating shaft. Mirrors reflect LED lights through a panel located behind the logs. Some electric fireplaces use water or a steam-based system to make the flame effects. Others may rely on gel or other fuels for the same look.
Magikflame uses state-of-the-art holographic technology to create flames that look extremely realistic. Their flames are life-like with amazing detail for an authentic fireplace experience.
Are They Cheesy?
Cheaper firebox inserts are considered tacky, but the ones we are talking about are not. Cheaper versions use out of date technology that is inexpensive to create their flames. The result is an ineffective light show with little realism.
The Magikflame Difference
Magikflame offers one of the most realistic electric fireplaces available. With 30 authentic flames and sounds to pick from, you can hear and see the fire as though it were an actual wood-burning fireplace. For added convenience, you can operate your fireplace effects and heat with your iPhone or favorite device.
They are made in the United States with premium materials. Each electric fireplace includes the patented Magicflame HoloFlame technology so you can enjoy the look and feel of a real fire without the dangers.
Easy installation only requires you to plug the model of your choice into the outlet and slide the piece up against whichever wall you like. The open front design eliminates the glare that other electric fireplaces have in front of their flames.
Shop the Churchill collection for a timeless look or choose something from the Morpheus collection for a traditional style. All of these electric fireplaces are ideal for condos, apartments, and small homes.
In Conclusion
When it comes to keeping young children safe, it is important to choose protective barriers and safe items for your home. Select a baby gate from among our recommendations for a safe way to enjoy your fireplace while retaining the lovely look and feel of your room. Take safety one step further, and consider a safe, elegant, and modern electric fireplace. Either way, you can enjoy time with your babies and toddlers in front of the fireplace without worrying about their safety.
