How To Childproof Your Fireplace

There's nothing more exciting for babies who've just started crawling, than exploring what's around them, whether it's a cupboard, a shoe or a staircase. And there's nothing more horrifying for a parent than seeing their little bundle of joy approaching an unprotected fireplace. That's why it's really important to make sure that your fireplace is fully protected and inaccessible for your child, no matter how fast they become.
First things first, make sure that any small, loose objects, such as matches and gas keys, are well out of reach of curious little fingers.
Ensure that the tools that you use for your fire, like pokers, brushes and tongs, cannot be pulled or knocked over.
Invest in a good quality Fire Guard, which will be cool to touch, should your little darling escape your clutches.
Before they even get to the hearth, a fireplace hearth isn't the most friendly place to be, with sharp edges and hard surfaces. To keep your child from the hearth, it could be worth using a gate to keep children away from fire, tools and hearth.
But while they protect your child, they're not very attractive and might ruin the aesthetic of your romantic fire on a cold night. Therefore, if a gate isn't the look you're going for, you could try foam hearth cushions or adhesive padding, which are easily removed once a certain someone is getting its beauty sleep.
Most importantly, don't leave your child unattended near a fire, whether it's burning or not - even without the flames, it's a not a good place for a small person.
It's worth remembering that even if you take all these steps, fireplaces are still hazardous, however big or small you are. Think about what a fireplace might look like to you if you hadn't been in the world very long and what other measures you need to take to make it safe. After all, once you've put in the effort to make it safe, you can all enjoy the comfort and warmth that your fireplace brings.