Are electric fireplaces safe for kids? 

Compared to gas- and wood-burning fireplaces, electric models are the safest type of fireplaces. This is perhaps one of the reasons they’re becoming increasingly popular in the market today. So, if you’re looking for a way to add some ambiance and extra warmth to your home, electric fireplaces are an excellent choice. But are electric fireplaces 100% safe for kids? 

Well, let’s take a look at some safety features that come with these units. More importantly, we’ll give you some valuable tips parents with young children can use to ensure the complete safety of their kids! 

Safety benefits of using electric fireplaces 

In terms of safety, electric fireplaces offer several benefits compared to other types of fireplaces. Some of these benefits include; 

• No toxic emissions 

Wood-burning and gas fireplaces produce toxic emissions that fly through the room in all directions. For instance, burning logs or gas emits toxic embers like smoke, gas fumes, soot, and carbon monoxide. This endangers the health of your loved ones, especially if there is not enough oxygen. 

In comparison, electric fireplaces don’t produce any harmful or toxic gases that can cause allergic reactions since they are carbon-free. For that, electric fireplaces don’t need ventilation to emit the emissions we’ve mentioned above. In addition, this makes electric fireplaces an eco-friendly accessory to keep your home and indoor environment safe. More importantly, the lack of toxic emissions means that your pets and kids will remain safe and healthy. This is particularly important for children with respiratory disorders like asthma or bronchitis. 

• No live sparks/ flames 

Every fireplace can give you warmth and create a comfortable living environment. However, wood- and gas-burning fireplaces produce sparks and live flames, which carry various potential risks. For instance, flames or sparks can fly out of the wood-burning fireplace into the room, increasing the risk of fire hazards. 

However, an electric fireplace is safer since it doesn’t produce live sparks/ flames. Besides, the flame inside these units isn’t even real, with some models adopting LED technology to create a realistic dancing fire effect. Even better, most electric fireplaces are equipped with unique features that allow you to adjust the color and brightness of the flames to suit your needs. 

• Cool-to-touch glass surface 

Burning gas or logs generates heat that transfers to the walls of the fireplace and to the front glass panel, which can burn your skin. Moreover, most fireplace doors  have tempered glass, which can break when exposed to very high temperatures. 

Luckily, most electric fireplaces are made from materials that remain cool to the touch, even when they’re in operation. As a result, kids and pets are less likely to encounter accidental burns when they touch the front glass panel of electric fireplaces. Moreover, the flame effect of the electric fireplace doesn’t heat up the front glass panel since it’s not a heat source. All these factors ensure that the fireplace maintains a cooler surface, making it safe for pets and kids even if they accidentally touch the unit. 

As if that’s not enough, some electric fireplaces are equipped with an air outlet at the bottom of the heating unit and an overheating safety mechanism. This effectively prevents the potential danger of overheating and provides a safe & warm environment for everyone, including pets and small children. 

• No flammable material 

One major drawback of using a wood-burning fireplace is that it can easily start a fire, especially if there are combustible materials like carpets, curtains, and decorations nearby. Similarly, flammable objects should not be stored near gas fireplaces. In addition, although gas fireplaces do not produce sparks, they must be vented to prevent pets and children from getting closer. 

On the bright side, electric fireplaces don’t need any gas or wood to burn. Instead, they only require a 120V power supply to function. Moreover, most units use LED lights to create the flame, meaning they will not heat the surrounding. Nonetheless, it’s important to ensure that you don’t put flammable materials too close to the back, side, or front of the fireplace. 

Important safety tips for electric fireplaces

• Don’t use extension cords 

Most electric fireplaces are equipped with a heating element that uses a significant amount of electrical power. For that reason, it’s recommended that you directly plug the fireplace into a wall outlet instead of using an extension cord. However, some electric fireplace manufacturers claim that you can use a heavy-duty extension cord with their units. For instance, if you have a 1500W electric fireplace, the minimum size of the extension cord should be 14 American Wire Gauge (AWG).

• Supervise kids and pets 

Pets don’t have a logical thinking capacity while kids (7 years & below) are still learning. Therefore, it’s important to closely monitor them, especially when the electric fireplace is running. Also, it’s good to baby-proof the fireplace to avoid accidents when you’re not around. For instance, you can put locks and doors on the electric fireplace cabinet and hide the control devices like remotes. 

• Ideal clearance distance 

Despite being the safest type of fireplace, some electric fireplaces produce hot/ warm air. In that case, you should leave a clearance distance of about 2 ft between any object and the hot air vent. In addition, pets, kids, and adults should avoid the hot air area as the hot air may lead to breathing difficulties. 

• Don’t use indoor electric fireplaces outside 

Indoor-rated electric fireplaces don’t have features that can withstand the tough outdoor environment. For instance, most units have simple covers that can’t withstand strong wind and dust or storm. While you can use some of these units on a covered patio, look for the best outdoor-rated electric fireplace instead. That way, the fireplace will not be affected by environmental elements like rain and wind, even when installed in the middle of a patio. 

• Do not remove the top cover 

Although electric fireplaces are safe to use, they can be dangerous when used without the top cover. This is because it has fans that rotate at a high speed and hot heating elements. Therefore, if anything flammable falls into the device, it can be a fire hazard. Moreover, the top cover prevents hot air from being lost and keeps the entire system working effectively.

• Electrical circuit 

While most modern electric fireplaces don’t need a dedicated circuit, it’s good to plug them into a dedicated circuit. This is because the heating element of an electric fireplace can trip the breaker if the circuit is overloaded. 

• Always inspect the power outlets and cord 

Lastly, regularly inspect the condition of your electric fireplace’s power cord and wall outlet. In addition, cover up any exposed cables with tape and replace the cord if it’s frayed. After all, inspecting the cord and power outlet regularly is a great way to increase the longevity of your electric fireplace. 

Conclusion 

Are electric fireplaces safe for kids? Yes, electric fireplaces are 100% for kids since they don’t have a real flame or produce dangerous fumes. Moreover, the front glass panel stays cool to the touch, so your kid will not get burnt if they accidentally touch the LCD screen. For those reasons, electric fireplaces are safe to use in your baby’s room to keep your kid warm in the cold winter months. 

However, despite these appliances being safe for kids, you should never leave your child unattended near them. Moreover, you should keep flammable materials like furniture and curtains at least 3 ft away from the fireplace and set the temperature low enough.