Gas fireplace glass: it can top 500°F, so keep the screen on and kids back for an hour after

Why the glass is the problem

With a wood fire, the danger is easy to see. With a sealed gas fireplace, the flame is behind glass, and the glass itself is what burns. [S1]

• It gets very hot. CPSC says the glass front can reach 500°F or even 1,000°F, and a 2012 statement from CPSC’s chairman called these child burns often very severe. [S1] [S2]
• It stays hot. HPBA says cooling down can take an hour or more, and the metal around it, like door frames and grilles, can get hot too. [S3]
• You may not know it ran. Some fireplaces turn on and off by thermostat, so HPBA says to always treat the glass as possibly hot. [S3]
• Who gets hurt. HPBA names young children, older or frail adults and pets, who may trip, fall or reach out without knowing the danger. [S3]

The screen rule since 2015

1. New ones come with a barrier. CPSC says that starting January 1, 2015, new gas fireplaces and fireplace heaters that vent outside come with a protective barrier to keep people from touching the glass. HPBA says new certified fireplaces, stoves and inserts made after that date include a screen or barrier that must be installed. [S1] [S3]
2. Where it came from. CPSC’s 2012 statement says the committee behind the ANSI Z21.50 and Z21.88 vented gas fireplace standards voted to require a barrier when the outside of the glass gets hotter than 172°F. [S2]
3. Use it. CPSC’s advice is short: make sure to use the barrier. [S1]
4. Put it back after service. Manufacturer instructions, such as Valor’s barrier screen kit, say to reinstall the screen after maintenance and to replace a damaged one only with the manufacturer’s barrier for that appliance. [S4]
5. Read the label. The same instructions carry the warning you’ll see in many gas fireplace manuals: hot glass will cause burns, don’t touch the glass until it’s cooled, and never let children touch it. [S4]

No screen yet? Add a barrier

CPSC says owners of existing fireplaces should buy a protective retrofit barrier. HPBA lists three kinds. [S1] [S3]

• An attachable safety screen. It fastens to the front of the fireplace with an air gap in front of the glass, so you still see the fire. It must be made for your exact unit. [S3]
• A free-standing safety gate. It blocks the area in front of the fireplace, and a door in the gate, if it has one, lets adults through. [S3]
• A free-standing fireplace screen. Usually mesh, set back from the front so hands can’t reach the glass. [S3]
• Start with the model number. HPBA says to contact your fireplace’s manufacturer first, since they may make a screen for your unit, or ask a hearth specialty retailer. CPSC also says to check with the maker before buying an attachable screen. [S3] [S1]
• Sturdy and left in place. HPBA says to pick a barrier a child or pet can’t push, pull over or remove, and to keep it in place once it’s installed. [S3]

Everyday habits

1. Supervise. CPSC and HPBA both say to watch young children around the fireplace, including after it’s been turned off. [S1] [S3]
2. Wait out the cool down. Give it an hour or more before anyone gets close. [S3]
3. Lock the switch, hide the remote. HPBA suggests a switch lock so kids can’t turn it on, keeping the remote out of reach, and checking your manual for a way to disable the remote receiver when you’re not using it. [S3]
4. Tell the guests. HPBA says to make sure family and guests know the glass can be very hot. Holiday guests with toddlers may not expect hot glass. [S3]
5. Don’t touch the screen either. Valor’s instructions say not to touch the barrier screen or the fireplace while they’re hot, and to let it cool before cleaning. [S4]
6. CO alarms nearby. Any fuel-burning appliance is a reason to have carbon monoxide alarms. CPSC says to put one on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas. Our CO alarm guide covers placement. [S6]

Burning wood instead? Our firewood and chimney guide covers screens, clearances and dry wood.

If a child touches it

1. Cool it right away. MedlinePlus says for a minor burn with unbroken skin, run cool water over it or soak it in cool water, not ice water, for at least 5 to 30 minutes. [S5]
2. Cover it. Then cover it with a dry, sterile bandage or clean dressing, and protect it from pressure and rubbing. [S5]
3. Hands are a big deal. MedlinePlus counts a blistering burn on the hands as a major burn, and says major burns need urgent medical care. Children under 5 have thinner skin and a higher chance of complications from severe burns. [S5]
4. When to call 911. If the burn is about the size of the palm or larger, looks white or charred, or you aren’t sure how serious it is. [S5]
5. Skip the home remedies. MedlinePlus says not to put butter, oil, ice or household remedies on a severe burn, and not to break blisters. [S5]

Check your setup

Pick your fireplace and when it last ran. The answer puts the steps from this page in one place. It doesn’t replace your fireplace’s manual. [S1] [S3]

Fireplace check before the holidays

Quick answers