subject: Keeping Your Fireplace Safe [print this page] In fact, it is a fact that a fireplace instantly adds value to your home when you go to sell it. Therefore, there is no doubt that several people either have a fireplace in their home, or would like to have one in the future. However, if you are a parent to small children or if you have pets, you may be concerned about the overall safety of a fireplace within your home.
This is certainly a valid concern because fireplaces can be dangerous if they are not properly installed or maintained. However, with the help of fire guards you can rest assured that your children would not be able to touch the fireplace due to the barrier that it provides.
A fire guard is an actual metal screen that not only blocks the fire from people being able to physically reach it, but it also protects against wood and coals that may overextend the length of the fireplace and cause injury to small children or pets. Furthermore, fire guards can also serve as an energy saver because if it is positioned correctly, it can actually allow for the heat to be better distributed throughout the room. As a result, the room will heat up much faster and the fireplace will not have to be on for so long. In the long run, a fire guard will end up saving you money due to the energy that it helps save.
While fire guards are certainly beneficial to ensure that your fireplace is safe, it is not the only thing that you should rely on. For example, it is important that the fuel that you use for your fireplace is properly stored away. If you choose to store wood next to your fireplace, it should be kept far enough away that it will not "accidentally" catch on fire without you being away of it. Furthermore, if you have a fireplace that is fueled through propane or natural gas, you will want to ensure that the gas is not leaking and that the air within the room does not get too high of an amount of carbon monoxide.
Lastly, you will want to make sure that you take the time needed to talk to your children about staying several feet away from the fire at all times, especially if they are toddlers. This same concept should hold true if you have pets that are allowed in your home.
