Gas Fireplace and Winter Burn Hazards

We are concerned that in cold weather, children are at an increased risk of being burned by heating devices, such as gas fireplaces. All it takes is a few seconds for a curious child to get severely burned. A toddler's skin is thinner and burns more quickly than an adult's.

In the case of gas fireplaces, most children burn their hands and fingers from contact with the glass barrier at the front of the gas fireplaces. This often happens when toddlers fall towards the gas fireplace and push up against the hot glass for balance or touch the glass out of curiosity, resulting in serious third degree burns. The glass barrier can heat up to over 200°C (400°F) in about six minutes during use and it takes 45 minutes for the fireplace to cool to a safe temperature after the fire has been switched off.

Gas fireplaces are a popular alternative to traditional wood burning fireplaces and with their increased presence; it is likely that over time burns will occur more frequently. Between 1995 and early 2003 there were 150 cases reported at 15 hospitals across the country.

Other heat-related injuries that occur more often around this time of year are scalds caused by direct contact with hot liquids. Tea, coffee, soup, and hot tap water are the most common causes of scalds.

To prevent burns from occurring to your child at home the Fire Prevention Branch recommends the following:

• Never leave a young child alone near a gas fireplace; they can be burned before, during, and after use.
• Create a barrier around the gas fireplace. Safety guards can be installed to keep your child at a safe distance at all times, or safety gates can keep your child from being in the room alone.
• Consider not using the fireplace if you have young children less than five years of age, using it only after your children have gone to sleep, or consider turning the unit off completely, including the pilot flame, whenever the unit is not in use.
• Keep hot drinks and food out of reach of young children and avoid drinking hot liquids while holding children.
• Reduce your home water heater temperature to 49°C (120°F) in order to prevent tap-water scalds.
• Be aware that children can suffer burns from many sources – such as irons, curling irons, radiators, older oven doors, and wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.