We have an 8 month old son who is more active than ever and of course with the cold weather comes the turning on of the pellet stove. Our problem is that since our son is now crawling and pulling himself up, we are unable to use the pellet stove while he’s awake. It’s now getting cold during the day and before long we’re going to have to turn it on during the day or be forced to freeze! Does anybody have any ideas on how to keep him from crawling up to the pellet stove? Of course with a regular fireplace screen if he leans on it he’ll tip it right over. The pellet stove is of course up against a wall in the back and open on the two sides and front and all of these sides get extremely hot. This is our only form of heat in our house so it’s not just an option like most fireplaces are. This may sound rather trivial, but it’s actually really quite a serious problem! Thanks for your help!
I moved to England a few years ago and they sell fire guards here that are covered sides and top and have clips that you can attach to eyelets you put into the wall.
It can’t be pulled away or over, to move it to get at the fire you have to unclip one of the sides from the wall.
They seem very common in houses with young children.
The look like this but it is a UK web site and you would have to find one locally if you live elsewhere in the world.
http://www.safetots.co.uk/Fire-Guard-Safety/147-67.htm
June 21st, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I moved to England a few years ago and they sell fire guards here that are covered sides and top and have clips that you can attach to eyelets you put into the wall.
It can’t be pulled away or over, to move it to get at the fire you have to unclip one of the sides from the wall.
They seem very common in houses with young children.
The look like this but it is a UK web site and you would have to find one locally if you live elsewhere in the world.
http://www.safetots.co.uk/Fire-Guard-Safety/147-67.htm
References :
June 21st, 2009 at 2:47 pm
For the pellet stove, get 3 accordion style pet gates (usually stronger than child gates) hinge them together & attach them to the wall on either side of the stove, 18″-24″ away. It would probably be a good idea to make your wall attachments to wall studs.
For the fireplace, formulate 4 brackets that you can temporarily affix to the screen with screws & nuts, then bend the brackets at right angles, drill matching holes in the facing mortar & use 1.5″ Tapcon screws to screw it to the facing (this is assuming the fireplace is brick or rock faced).
All parts are available in the hardware section of your local home improvement store.
Hope this helps…
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June 21st, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I had the same problem with a wall mounted gas space heater and what I did was go to the hardware store and buy spring clips meant to clip a broom handle to the wall , it was just the right size for clipping a folding fireplace guard at top and bottom to the wall. The spring was quite strong but still easy enough to remove the guard if need be.
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June 21st, 2009 at 3:40 pm
The catalouge ONE STEP AHEAD has special frieplace gates that mount to the wall and provide a good safe barrier from the fireplace/stove. We have a wood burner and we use it when it gets chilly… We taught the children from a very young age. NO, HOT I put their hand on it when it was warm. They stay away from it completely! They are 2 yrs. and 4 yrs. and we don’t have a problem.. However, I’m in the room at all times when the wood burner is lit. If you are really worried I would gate it off.. It’s better to be safe than sorry…. Especially, if it can tip and cause a serious injury… Ours is a wood burning stove- it gets really, really hot…! I would try while it’s cold to make it a “NO” area just because even cold it can cause injury.
Good luck
References :
Me, I use a woodburning stove so my kids had to understand NO, HOT and FIRE !
June 21st, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Get him a little play pen, Or try anf find a permant Fire place screen gauard, that mount to the wall. Best bet if hes still not to big and heavy, I would say a evenflo Play pen, that fold up so you can take it with. Get one that locks at bottom and top rails. I used one for my son in a old farm house with stairs.
References :
Previous exp with Son. EvenFlo Play Pen