Protecting Small Children from Hearth and Fire
Even without a burning fire, a hearth's sharp corners and rough surfaces pose year-round dangers to young children. Padded hearth guards made of fire-retardant foam are an easy remedy for accidental bumps and cuts. But padded guards do not limit access to the fireplace itself. Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen or door, mounted if possible, and keep it securely shut (KidCo's Fireplace Door Lock is great), and the fireplace clean of ashes and burned debris so curious hands and mouths stay soot-free!

For fireplaces or wood stoves that receive heavy use during the winter months, KidCo’s HearthGate™ Baby Safety Gate is an ideal solution. It fully surrounds the hearth area to protect little ones from the fire’s obvious dangers and the hearth’s hard surfaces. Remember, to move fireplace tools, wood boxes and gas valve keys to less-accessible spots if the hearth is not enclosed within a Hearth Gate.

Chim-Chim’ney! Maintaining a Safe Fireplace and Chimney
To ensure safe operation, fireplace and chimney systems should be inspected and cleaned each year – even in warmer areas where fireplace use is less frequent. Flammable creosote from burning logs builds up on chimney walls over time, and obstructions such as bird or animal nests can inhibit proper venting and possibly cause a chimney fire. Cracks or deterioration also pose fire hazards and may allow dangerous carbon monoxide to escape into the home. Professional chimney sweeps offer cleaning, inspection and maintenance services. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) provides a list of certified “Sweeps” online at www.csia.org.

Enjoy Crackling Warmth – Safely!
Seasoned hardwood or artificial firelogs are the safest fuel for fireplaces and wood stoves, and blank or black ink newsprint is generally the best starter. Color newspaper sections should not be used as these inks may release unwanted fumes -- for this reason, too, never burn wrapping paper or other rubbish in a fireplace. And of course, never use charcoal lighter fluid or gasoline to light a fire. The vapors from even a small amount of these fluids can concentrate in a fireplace or woodstove and cause an explosion.

Remember to keep fires to an appropriate size for fireplaces and woodstoves. A too-large fire may overheat the surrounding wall or roof materials, causing them to deteriorate or even ignite. Place logs toward the rear of the fireplace as this usually ensures a better draw of smoke up the chimney, and keep the damper open until the ashes are cool to minimize any buildup of dangerous carbon monoxide.

Last -- but certainly not least -- be sure that fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors have new batteries and operate properly. If you haven't invested in a household fire extinguisher, now is the perfect time to do so – and to learn how to use it. Make it a pre-holiday gift to yourself and enjoy family fireside gatherings with added peace-of-mind.