Looking for a Fireplace Guard

If you're in Dallas take a look at Dr. Baby Proofer. We just used the stick-on foam edging and now after 8 years we're looking at taking it off - finally! we never had an incident, but then you don't know how many would have happened without it.

I got my fireplace foam at Babies R Us. Can't remember the name of it, but it's in the infant care section with the corner guards and stuff. It comes with corner guards and long bits of foam that you can cut to make shorter if you need to. It held on tightly, but when we moved it was easy enough to remove (my son couldn't remove it though); it just needed a warm damp rag to wash the very little bit of sticky that was left.

A.,
Glad you are thinking ahead - good for you. I would recommend a hearth gate (www.infanthouse.com). They look great and are extremely functional. We still have ours up and our kids are almost 7. It is just a reminder "not to get too close" even when they are old enough to open the gate. Also, please keep in mind that it is not just the hearth corners that may be dangerous for little ones, the ashes in the fireplace are toxic. There are pictures at the above website and their number is 1-866-infant5 if you have more questions. Good luck with your business.

We ordered from there and we are very pleased with our foam cover. We have a curved fireplace hearth and it fits perfectly. We ended up ordering it after my little girl chipped her teeth on the hearth. Wish we would have done it sooner. But that is a great company with a great product!

We had horrible luck with all foam covers we tried on anything in our house. They never stuck for more than a week or so. The best thing I found for the fireplace was a beautiful folded up blanket draped over the front to cover the rough edges.

Hi, A.,

I actually have a gate around my fireplace. That way, we can still use it, they cannot get into it at all, and there is no head-bumping either. You can easily remove it if you want to do so. I had a baby proofer in-stall it, http://www.smallworldbabyproofing.com/

I think I have also seen them on the One Step Ahead website. If you had Rod from Small World come out, he could recommend lots of other ways to help you. He also sells a do-it-yourself DVD.

Good luck to you!
A.

My kids are big now, but when they were little I just bought some oversized floor pillows and put them up around the fireplace it was pretty and we still use the pillows. If you get some that are heavy, they won't move around much.

One Srep Ahead has some great ones that my sister has loved. onestepahead.com

I know Lowes has some.. I dont know who made them.

I saw somewhere recently someone use these foam mats on their fireplace and it was very cute!! Plus then the kids can take the letters in and out. You basically put some on top of the fireplace and on the side and they connect. Sorry I don't have a pic of what they would look like but I think you can imagine. Just another idea.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...

I have seen people use those square foam interlocking pieces and put them on top and sides. I think you get them at toys r us. they are colorful and have letters inside them.

A., I actually purchased this foam just before my daughter could crawl (about 2 years ago). I have a raised hearth that is rectangular and it scared me to have her stumble on her wobbly legs or get accidentally knocked over by our dog when she was near it. So, I searched everywhere for something that would protect the entire fireplace, rather than just the edges. And, I, like others, considered blankets, pillows, etc, but I didn't think it would completely protect her from hitting a corner some day.

Anyway, I bought the Baby Safety Foam and have been so pleased with it. I NEVER have to worry that we will take a trip to the emergency room because of a fall on our fireplace. Plus, in the winter we can still have a fire in the fireplace with the foam still in place. Most people don't even know the foam is there when they come in to our house. It blends in so well. I put some of my daughters toys on top of it and it is the perfect height for her to play or reach her book bin. Plus, I know now that when other children come over to play, I don't have to worry about them getting hurt on our fireplace either. I'm sure I could have trained my daughter, over time, to be careful around the fireplace, but now I have the peace of mind that both her and anyone else are protected from a bad cut or injury. It will be the best money you spend on a fireplace guard and they guarantee your satisfaction on their website. Depending on where you live, you are welcome to come take a look at mine. Email me and I'm happy to answer any other questions. Good luck!