A fireplace is one of the best features of a home and, for families with small children or pets, one that demands a little extra thought. Curious toddlers and inquisitive animals do not understand that the pretty flames — or the glass in front of them — can cause a serious burn. A few sensible precautions let Bolingbrook families enjoy the fire with real peace of mind.
Create a buffer between the fire and the family
The foundation of hearth safety is distance. A sturdy freestanding safety gate or a secure fireplace screen keeps small hands and paws away from flames, hot glass, and embers. This matters even more with gas fireplaces, where the glass front reaches burn temperatures and stays hot long after the unit is switched off — a fact that surprises many parents. Keep furniture, blankets, pet beds, and toys about three feet back from the fireplace, both to prevent burns and to keep flammable items clear of stray sparks. And the oldest rule still holds: never leave a child alone near a live or recently used fire.
Manage the tools, ash, and accessories
The hazards around a fireplace are not only the flames. Pokers and brushes, lighters and matches all need to live well out of a child’s reach — ideally away from the hearth entirely. When you clear ash, move it into a metal container with a lid and set it outside on a non-combustible surface, because embers can stay hot for days. Teach children early and plainly that the fireplace and its surround get dangerously hot, so the lesson is in place before curiosity gets the better of them.
Safety that starts inside the chimney
Some of the most important hearth safety is invisible from the living room. A fireplace that draws properly sends smoke and combustion gases up and out; one that does not can let them drift into the rooms where your family breathes. Working carbon monoxide detectors are essential in any home with a fuel-burning appliance, and a fireplace is no exception. So is keeping the chimney in good condition — a yearly chimney inspection confirms the flue is clear and drawing correctly, which is as much a part of protecting children and pets as any gate or screen. You can see how inspection fits with the rest of our chimney services when you plan your seasonal maintenance.
Enjoy the warmth this season knowing the whole family is protected. Call Indigo Chimney Sweep at (815) 296-9565 or book online. We are bonded and insured, and we tell you the price up front. We will make sure your Bolingbrook chimney is drawing safely so your fireplace stays a comfort, not a worry.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep young children safe around a fireplace?
Create a clear buffer zone and never leave a child unattended near a fire. A sturdy freestanding gate or screen keeps small hands away from flames, hot glass, and embers. Teach children early that the fireplace and its surround get dangerously hot, and keep the tools and matches out of reach.
The glass on my gas fireplace gets very hot. Is that normal?
Yes, the glass front of a gas fireplace can reach temperatures high enough to cause a serious burn and stays hot well after the unit is off. A protective screen or barrier in front of the glass is the reliable way to prevent contact burns, especially with toddlers and pets in the home.
How far should furniture and pets stay from the fire?
Keep flammable items — furniture, blankets, pet beds, toys — a safe distance from the fireplace, generally around three feet. That same clearance gives pets a natural buffer and reduces the chance of a stray ember or a knocked-over item near the flames.
What is the biggest fireplace hazard for pets?
Curiosity and proximity. A wagging tail can knock over tools or scatter embers, a cat may investigate a warm hearth, and both can be burned by hot glass or singed by sparks. A secure screen and keeping pets supervised around a live fire prevent most incidents.
Do I need a hearth gate even with a screen?
For homes with crawling or toddling children, often yes. A fixed fireplace screen stops sparks but is not always a barrier a determined toddler cannot reach around. A freestanding safety gate set back from the hearth creates a larger no-go zone that is harder to breach.
How do I store fireplace tools and accessories safely?
Keep pokers, brushes, and lighters or matches well out of a child’s reach, ideally in a location away from the hearth entirely. Ash should be removed into a metal container with a lid, since embers can stay hot for days and are a burn and fire risk if handled carelessly.
Are carbon monoxide detectors necessary with a fireplace?
Yes. Any home with a fuel-burning appliance should have working carbon monoxide detectors, and a fireplace is no exception. Detectors give early warning if combustion gases are not venting properly, which protects everyone in the home, children and pets included.
Does a clean, well-maintained chimney make the home safer for kids?
Absolutely. A fireplace that draws properly keeps smoke and gases moving up and out instead of into rooms where children and pets breathe. Annual inspection and cleaning are part of hearth safety, not separate from it — a sound chimney is a safer chimney for a family.
Written by Jamie Reed, operations manager at Indigo Chimney Sweep.
Published September 24, 2026