“Among all accidental injuries, fire and burns are the no. 5 cause of death in children ages 14 and younger — in part because young children cannot recognize heat-related danger quickly enough to react appropriately,” says Lisa Schwing, trauma program manager at Dayton Children’s Hospital. “Children’s skin burns at lower temperatures and more deeply than that of older children and adults.”
Injuries from glass-fronted fireplaces can be irreversible, so it is important to know all the facts about fireplace safety and take action to keep children safe. Here are a few simple precautions to take to keep children out of danger from the Hearth, Patio, and Barbeque Association (HPBA) and Dayton Children’s Hospital.
• Always supervise children near an operating gas fireplace, stove, or insert. Even one that has been recently turned off.
• To prevent the child from turning on the appliance, install a switch lock.
• Keep the remote control out of the reach of children.
• Make sure everyone in your family, including guests, are aware that the glass panel of fireplaces, stoves, and inserts can be very hot.
• Wait for the appliance to cool completely before allowing anyone to go near it. The glass front panel may take as long as an hour to cool down.
• Be aware that other metal surfaces near the appliance, such as doorframes or grilles, may also get hot.
• Always read and follow the owner’s manual and instructions.
• Explain to your child the risks of playing near a fire.
According to HPBA, if you have a preexisting fireplace, stove, or insert, there are three safety products that create a physical barrier between your child and the fireplace. Attachable safety screens, free standing safety gates, and free standing fireplace screens all help guard against child injury.
Certified fireplaces manufactured after January 1, 2015 will include a safety screen that must be installed. Currently, there are many ongoing tests to make sure the screens are effective at preventing injury.
Before gathering around your fireplace this winter check that it is properly outfitted with the correct safety product. Children may suffer serious, irreversible burns if the proper safety tips are not followed. Staying warm is important, but make sure you are taking the proper steps to ensure your child’s safety before cozying up to the fireplace this winter.
About Dayton Children’s
One of only 45 independent freestanding children’s hospitals in the country, Dayton Children’s is the region’s only medical facility dedicated to children. Accredited by The Joint Commission and serving 20 Ohio counties and eastern Indiana, the experts at Dayton Children’s care for more than 290,000 children each year. Consistently recognized as one of the country’s best and most cost-effective pediatric hospitals, Dayton Children’s is home to the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and together with the United States Air Force shares the nation’s only civilian-military integrated pe¬diatric training program. For more children’s health and safety information, visit our web site at www.childrensdayton.org.
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