My concern over use of open wood fire

[lovingthegiftcom]

Please can I have advice
I’m trying to tell my daughter’s mum that the open wood fire & guard are not safe for kids between 2 & 10 years old.
She says it’s much cheaper than Oil fired central heating which she has problems with.
She is on benefits with PIP & oldest child has special needs.
I would have thought she would get council or government help to improve heating & house.
She lives in a private house. (No rent or mortgage)
Thank you.

I've always loved an open fire but knowing what I do about particulates emanating from them I wouldn't have one now. I'd be reluctant to let children anyone with vulnerable lungs in a room with one for any length of time.

I think that plastic wrapper is a marshmallow bag - maybe they’ve been toasting them over the fire? I’d be quite concerned about those cushions leaning against the fireguard - if a spark flew off and hit one, it might set on fire.

And yes, what we know now about particulates would concern me.

look for home energy advice or 'warm and well' or similar - tend to be by local authority - they should be able to give advice if she is in fuelpoverty, which it sounds as though she would be. there might also be a grant available - it might be a new heating system or building improvements (eg insulation) or both.

Having the chimney open will be costing a lot of heat when the fire is not lit, I know the fire service are also worried aobut safety from open fires - your local fire service may be able to advise.

but none of this is relevant unless she fels you are being constructive and helpful, rather than bossy and unhelpful, so be sure to approach this tactfully.

i would be a bit worried about the smoke and PM2.5 particles but I think an open fire isn’t the worst thing in the world and may be better than a cold house… However that one really needs a good clean (chimney probably needs swept too), it needs a proper fire guard which is attached to the wall and soft furnishings should be kept well away from it.

Yes the smoke from the fire is also a worry, it will be bad for everyone's lungs.

I’m the father of youngest child, not the other 2. I pay half towards child running costs & bits on top. Help has been offered. She isn’t short of money in the sense that there’s always money for some luxury items.

Well its her choice then and as long as she clears the crap out of the way and ensures the chimney is swept it will be fine.

I mean in general an open fire is fine. With the correct wall affixed guard, a well maintained chimney and the correct fuel wood/coal burned on it.

However in this scenario, the guard isn't affixed to the wall, the fire place itself looks in a poor state of cleanliness/repair. And I'd be concerned they aren't just brining wood in it given the rubbish surrounding it.

I grew up with a coal open fire, I survived but my parents were good at keeping it clean, keeping it maintained and burning only coal.

I can assure you it’s not staged!!!
I am having mares trying to reason with her & explain my concerns. She thinks nothing is wrong. I kid you not. Her sister has expressed same concerns too. She’s high functioning autistic but she picks & chooses what advice she takes. She’s always had her way even as a child. Always right. I hope she listens.

Hey. Thanks for all the people being supportive. I’m the mum in question, for all the people commenting about the fireplace being a mess, (and the person wondering if it’s staged) no it’s not. My girls dad is great just a worry wort. I actually found this looking for resources to help reassure him. The fire isn’t in regular use yet I’m half way through getting it sorted and set up for winter. The guard needs securing properly and the area around the fireplace needs clearing and the toys and stuff that live near the fireplace in summer need moving.
heres where I’ve got to so far.

He’s worried they will get burnt or set the house alight.

It’s attached, there’s securing eyes in the brickwork.

It is attached but you should have a more substantial fire screen in front too (within the guard area). Open fires sometimes spit out hot embers.

Hi @Bentrose

We’ve got a spark guard for our fire. Really helps make the set up safer and not expensive:

Spark guard

If you need to get your chimney swept, chimney sweeps are pretty good at advising on your set up. Ours is lovely!

Open fires are incredibly inefficient, why would anyone trying to save energy have a hole in their roof? It really is bonkers. At the very least get a properly installed woodburner.

Kids and babies are instinctively wary of fire, ours were fine (until they were teenagers) however 40,000 people in the UK each year die from diseases caused by particulate emissions. Again open fires are really not good in this regard.

Teach them not to touch the fire guard - of course they will!!! But teach them about the dangers of fires etc

I grew up with one and used to throw the fatty bits round a pork pie in them

And pretty much done. The guard is permanently fixed one side and attached with a caribina clip the other to make a hinged type set up (kids can’t operate the clip)

Thanks for pics (hoping this isn't sock puppetry)

I'm wondering if I've developed selective memory... pretty sure I never had any guard at all around our woodburner. Somehow my toddlers survived and indeed thrived.