Protect Your Child from Gas Fireplace Burns
Gas fireplaces are perfect for keeping you and your family warm throughout the winter, but can pose a risk for severe burns to young children and infants.
Gas fireplace glass can reach a temperature of 200°C, hot enough to cause a third-degree burn, even after the fireplace has been turned off. After being turned off, the glass remains hot for at least 45 minutes. The easiest way to prevent burns is to keep the fireplace off when young children are around; if this isn't an option, you could install a screen or hearth gate.
How hot is too hot? Believe it or not there is no agreed upon standard, however the following table gleaned from here provides the following glimpse:
MOST PROBABLE SKIN TEMPERATURE
| EFFECT or SENSATION |
| 212°F | second-degree burn with 15- (boiling water) second contact |
| 180°F | second-degree burn with 30- second contact |
| 160°F | second-degree burn with 60- second contact |
| 140°F | pain; tissue damage (burns) |
| 120°F | pain; "burning heat" |
The SickKids Burn Prevention Team has launched an awareness campaign about gas fireplace safety and burn prevention, distributing posters to schools, day care centres and medical offices across Ontario.