when to remove the fireguard?

[motherducky]

so.....

kids are 5 and 7, sometimes sensible, sometimes giddy (mainly the 7yr old).

The fireguard seems have have suddenly mislaid an extra screw fixing, which in addition to the wall having never successfully held the fixings in, now means it keeps falling over - usually on the 5yr old. Suddenly, esp as it's spring and unlikely to be used for a long while, it seems safer to remove it than not (so long as I can ensure the gas knob is made safe somehow).

BUT I have cafcass due to make a home visit in a few weeks time [panic panic panic!] and I'm worried what they will think.

What do you think is an acceptable age to remove the d**m thing?

Oh and any bright ideas on how to make the knob safe? I'm worried gas will spurt out gas if it gets nudged - its partly sunk into the top of the fire so I'm not sure if a cooker knob cover would work.

Sounds like more of a hazard than a help in its current state.

Gosh, DC4 is only 3yo and I took it away at least a year ago . DC3 is only 6yo and very doolally excitable, too, and 2 other DC to consider (constant squabbling & high spirits).

Dunno what CAFCASS is, are you a cm?

Sorry, can you explain the knob problem more clearly? Maybe a CORGI engineer will know & can tell you what to do over the phone for free?

hmm, I suspect I might be completely ott for keeping it there for so long, but after previous experience of carbon monoxide leaks having the knob within child's reach scared me a little...