Originally published October 5, 2025. Last updated October 20, 2026.
Once your baby starts crawling or pulling up, your living room can look very different from their point of view. A hearth becomes somewhere to climb, and a glowing fireplace becomes something to investigate.
Fireplace and heater safety starts with keeping hot surfaces out of reach, giving heating equipment enough space and knowing what to do if a burn happens. Here’s how to make those precautions part of everyday family life.
Need burn first aid now? Move your child away from the heat and begin cooling the affected area with cool running water. Call 911 immediately for breathing difficulty, unresponsiveness or a large or deep burn. See the first-aid steps below.
How do you keep a baby or toddler away from a fireplace?
Use a properly installed barrier that prevents your child from reaching the fireplace and hearth. A wraparound safety gate secured to the walls can create that separation.
A gas fireplace’s attached safety screen and a child safety gate have different jobs. The screen reduces direct contact with hot glass; the gate keeps children farther back. Use a gas fireplace safety screen made or approved by the fireplace manufacturer.
Choose a gate intended for that location and follow both the gate and fireplace instructions, including clearances. A movable decorative screen is not a substitute for a secured child barrier.
Keep play areas away from the fireplace. Stay close while it is in use and cooling down, and take your child with you if you leave the room. Teaching “hot, don’t touch” is helpful, but toddlers cannot reliably follow that rule every time.
Can fireplace glass still burn after the fire is off?
Yes. Gas fireplace glass can remain dangerously hot after the flames disappear. Keep the barrier in place during cooling and follow the appliance’s instructions. Do not use your hand to test whether the glass is safe to touch.
What changes with different types of fireplaces?
Gas fireplaces: Check that the correct safety screen is present and secure, including when moving into a home with an existing fireplace. Ask the manufacturer or a qualified installer about missing or damaged components.
Wood-burning fireplaces: Follow the appliance instructions for spark protection and hearth clearances. Arrange regular professional inspection and have the chimney cleaned annually. Keep matches, lighters and fireplace tools inaccessible to children.
Electric fireplaces: Treat the heater outlet and other heated surfaces as potential burn hazards. Follow the specific model’s installation and clearance instructions, and keep cords and controls inaccessible. A flame-effect display does not tell you whether the heating function is on.
Raised hearths: Blocking access also helps keep little ones away from hard edges. Do not add ordinary foam padding or adhesive covers near heat unless the fireplace and accessory manufacturers confirm that use is suitable.
How can you use a portable space heater more safely?
Portable heaters need room around them, a suitable power connection and adult attention.
Give it space. Keep portable electric heaters at least 1 metre from bedding, curtains, furniture and other combustible materials. Follow any greater clearance required by the manufacturer.
Use a wall outlet directly. Do not use an extension cord or power bar.
Choose a stable location. Place the heater on a level surface as directed by its instructions, where it cannot be knocked over. Keep its cord out of walkways and do not run it under a rug.
Check certification. Look for a recognised Canadian certification mark, such as CSA, cUL or cETL.
Keep children away. A barrier must not obstruct airflow or sit inside the heater’s required clearance. If you cannot maintain a safe setup, choose another way to heat the space.
Turn it off when unattended. Unplug it before going to sleep or leaving home.
Features such as automatic shut-off do not replace these precautions.
Can you leave a space heater on in a baby’s room overnight?
Do not leave a portable space heater running while you sleep or while your baby is unattended. A thermostat or baby monitor does not replace supervision.
If the nursery is regularly too cold, have the home’s heating assessed rather than relying on an unattended portable heater. For broader seasonal questions, read Fall and Winter Safety: Common Questions About Babies and Toddlers.
What about baseboard heaters?
Keep bedding, curtains, toys and furniture clear according to the heater’s instructions. Arrange the room so children cannot reach hot surfaces. Do not cover a heater with fabric, foam or a homemade enclosure, or place a barrier where it blocks airflow. Ask the manufacturer about compatible guards if needed.
Looking for home safety products?
Explore our Amazon collection, Fire Safety at Home: Babyproofing Fireplaces, Heaters, Hair Tools & More.
Before choosing a barrier or accessory, check that it is suitable for your appliance and follow the manufacturer’s installation and clearance instructions.
Don’t forget smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
Install smoke alarms in bedrooms, outside sleeping areas and on every level, following local requirements and installation instructions. Test them monthly and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance and replacement schedule.
Fuel-burning fireplaces and heating equipment also need attention to carbon monoxide, a gas you cannot see or smell. Install certified carbon monoxide alarms, including outside sleeping areas, following local requirements and the alarm instructions.
Have fuel-burning appliances professionally inspected at least annually or as directed by the manufacturer. Keep exterior vents clear of snow and debris. Never bring outdoor fuel-burning heaters or barbecues indoors to warm the house.
If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone outside into fresh air and call 911 from outside. Do not stay inside looking for the source. Return only when professionals say it is safe.
Practise a home escape plan and decide which adult will help each child. That small conversation makes the plan more practical for a household with babies or toddlers.
What if you’re visiting a home with an unguarded fireplace?
A practical step is to ask about the fireplace before you arrive. You might arrange to use another room, or ask the host to leave it off and allow it to cool fully beforehand.
Bring a few toys for a play area away from the heat. If the space cannot be made suitable, change where you spend time together. You do not need to turn a visit into an afternoon of repeatedly saying “don’t touch.”
What should you do if your child touches a hot fireplace or heater?
Move them away from the heat. Remove nearby jewellery or clothing unless it is stuck to the skin.
Cool the affected area under cool running water for about 20 minutes. Keep the rest of your child warm. Do not use ice or immerse their whole body in cold water.
Cover loosely with a clean, non-stick dressing or clean cloth after cooling.
Get medical advice. Do not apply butter, toothpaste or creams as first aid, and do not pop blisters.
Call 911 immediately for breathing difficulty, unresponsiveness, or a large or deep burn. Do not delay emergency help to finish cooling.
Seek urgent assessment for burns involving the hands, face, feet, genitals or a major joint, or for blistering or significant pain. A child’s hand burn from fireplace glass should not be dismissed because it looks small.
Even minor burns deserve follow-up. SickKids recommends that a health-care provider examine a child’s burn within 72 hours. This is not a reason to wait when urgent assessment is needed.
A warmer home, with a little more preparation
Start with the room your family uses most: check the barrier, move nearby items and review your heater’s instructions. Then make sure everyone caring for your child knows the setup, including what stays off during sleep and what to do if a burn happens.
You do not have to anticipate every movement your toddler will make. A thoughtful setup means fewer hazards within reach and fewer things you need to catch in the moment.
Continue Learning
Continue building your family’s safety toolkit with these trusted resources from Bump + Baby Matters.
Infant & Child CPR + Choking Classes
How to Create a Family Emergency Plan: A Practical Guide for Parents
Button Battery Safety: What Every Parent and Caregiver Needs to Know
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