Southern Oaks chimney service from a local family company

Toddlers and fireplaces need a plan, and in Southern Oaks, a named neighborhood of the City of Orlando, a few simple measures let a family enjoy the fireplace without worry. The main hazards for small children are hot surfaces, sparks and embers from wood fires, and the controls or tools that curious hands can reach.

Hot glass is the one people underestimate. The glass on a gas fireplace gets hot enough to burn a small hand, and it stays that hot for a good while after the flame goes out. Many newer gas fireplaces come with a mesh safety screen fitted over the glass, and manufacturers such as Heat and Glo describe it in their manuals.

If yours does not have one, ask us whether the maker offers a screen for your model. Do not remove a screen that came with the unit. For wood fireplaces, a sturdy screen or glass doors keep sparks and embers in the firebox. A hearth gate or freestanding safety gate that keeps children back from the hearth is a good addition, as long as it does not sit on the hot hearth or block the damper.

Keep fireplace tools, matches, lighters and remotes out of reach, and store firewood where children cannot pull it over. The hearth itself matters too. A cracked or loose hearth edge can be a tripping hazard or a sharp edge, and we can repair or reset it. Padded hearth guards should be heat-rated if the fireplace is used.

Teach older children the rules early: the fireplace is only for grown-ups, the glass is hot even when it looks cool, and nothing gets thrown into the fire. Our family owned and operated company does the Southern Oaks inspection free, and we check the fireplace, screens and hearth while we are there. Any repair or safety screen is quoted in writing, and you save 10% on any service booked within 72 hours after the inspection.