fireguard?

[cuggles]

My dp and I are locked in a "discussion" about fireguards...we have a woodburner iin the lounge. I say use one, he says no as better to teach children danger/how to behave and supervise them and that they are built with an instinct to not get too close to the fire etc...what do you do? DCs are 3 (she goes nowhere near it and is fine) and 18 months. Wasnt so concerned with DD as she was not on the move her first winter and old enough her second to learn no but DS, well on the move and not yet keen on no!

[scaevola]

Fire is just too dangerous. The consequences of a very young child making a mistake are just too awful to even contemplate.

I'd definitely get a fireguard, and I think your DP is being an arse about this particular hazard.

[Bearandcub]

I'd go for a fire guard, just to be on the safe side.

[cuggles]

As I thought....thanks!

[AnyaKnowIt]

I would get one, you can teach all the dangers but that won't help if they trip over something

Not worth the risk

[dorapeppageorgenoddy]

We have an open fire so slightly different but we use the fireguard when they are 'running around/being active' also when the fire is lively at the start when just lit, if that makes sense but we also have times when the guard is not up to teach them that the fire is hot, the thing is the guard gets really hot as well; but both children 16 months and 3 are very good with the fire, the baby walks near and says hot with a dramatic hand up - but with a log burner the metal is so hot and without the obvious flame it is easier to 'forget' its hot - this hasn't helped at all just my own ramblings...

[Catsmamma]

yes cos it's all about judgement and knowing the danger....that's going to help no end when she trips and falls with her hands out to sear onto the metal

he is being a prick

I have a horror story about a grown woman ending up in hospital after falling into a fire.....would he like to lecture her about instinct??

[cuggles]

It has helped and I can work out what you are saying! I must admit the little one has gone careering near to it and stopped short as too hot to go nearer so I think he would keep away but Anya, the tripping is certainly a concern!

[PerchanceToDream]

Not just the tripping - they could throw something into it and burn the house down.

[ZuleikaD]

We don't use a fireguard with our open fire and both DCs are fully aware of the fire and its dangers - also it gets so hot they can't go near it. I would never leave them alone in the room with a fire, even with a fireguard, which is another reason not to bother.

However I agree with dora above. An open fire is obviously either burning or not, but a woodburner is more dangerous because it looks pretty much the same whether it's burning or not, especially if the glass is blackened. I would get a fixed guard that can't be moved away and won't fall over if a child leans on it.

[mollymole]

Fire plus children, vulnerable people = fireguard - NO QUESTION.

[MoelFammau]

I'd say the fireguard is a good thing....

HOWEVER, our DD (18mo) is very clued up on how painful hot things are. She once touched a vey hot radiator and she's learned. She knows the German word for hot (heiss) and solemnly nods and says 'heiss' when I warn her about my cup of tea, her hot food, the fire.... She never reaches for anything if I say 'heiss', she just nods very seriously and waits.

Heights though, I can't get her to grasp that one! Or water. So I don't trust her there either. But heat seems to have stuck, so maybe your DP isn't so wrong.

[cuggles]

Thanks everyone..the conversation continues!

[olgaoctopus]

Never had fire guards, instead taught DCs that fires are hot, not to touch. Same for the AGA in the kitchen, hot radiators, barbecue, kettle etc. I'm the only person in the family who's managed to burn themselves on the stove...