Safest Electric Fireplaces for Kids and Pets
If you love the ambiance of a fireplace but are worried about your child or pet’s safety, electric fireplaces are a much safer alternative to traditional wood-burning or gas options. They are a great source of extra heat that is easy to install, inexpensive, and easy to use.
Since no actual flame appears, most electric fireplaces are cool to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about burns. If you have ever been around a toddler that likes to touch everything, you will understand how important this feature is when it comes to fireplaces.
There are many different styles and types of electric fireplaces, so we have created a list of different designs that have all of the safety features that you will need for kids and pets.
Read More: Safest Portable Heaters for Kids and Pets
Touchstone 80001 Onyx Wall Hanging Electric Fireplace
The Touchstone Onyx 80001 is an extremely popular wall-mounted option. Its modern, decorative design and realistic adjustable flame are some of the key features of its success. It also has the no-heat option so that you can use this fireplace year-round.
Wall-mounted styles are great for almost anyone since they don’t take up much floor space, and you can put them anywhere in your home. The Touchstone Onyx comes with a remote control to adjust flame brightness and temperature settings, and the unit can heat any room of up to 400 feet.
The glass stays cool to the touch, and the heated air blows out the top. Since it is wall-mounted, it will be out of reach for most toddlers and pets.
You may choose to hang it a little higher on the wall to make sure the top, where the air comes out, can’t be accessed until your child is old enough to understand not to touch it. Also, since it is wall-mounted, there is no chance of it tipping over (as long as it is secure on the wall).
Available from Amazon
Duraflame DFI-5010-01 Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove with 3D Flame Effect
Duraflame has several different models that are great for kids and pets, with the DFI-5010-01 being one of their most popular models. It has all of the safety features that you will need when around kids and pets, including the cool-to-touch element.
This model is known for its remarkably realistic flame and the high quality of the overall build. It looks like a metal cast iron stove, but it is pretty lightweight and easy to move around. This fireplace uses infrared heat, so it will heat the objects in the room and not just the air, so you don’t get the pockets of heat that you may find with other heaters.
Available from Amazon
Duraflame Electric Log Set Heater with Realistic Ember Bed
If you want a smaller option that gives the effect of a log-burning fireplace, you could try this one from Duraflame. It is a 4,600 BTU heater that provides supplemental zone heating for up to 400 square feet.
Even though it looks like the top of the unit might get hot, it doesn’t get warm enough to cause any problem if a child or a pet were to touch it. The hot air comes out of the grill that is underneath, and that can get a little bit hot.
This style is minimal and versatile; you can use it in a small space or it into an existing fireplace. It has the optional heat feature and is light and easy to move around if needed.
Check the price on Amazon
SEI Furniture Southern Enterprises Tennyson Electric Fireplace with Bookcase
The SEI Furniture Southern Enterprises Tennyson Electric Fireplace with Bookcase is a beautiful, fireplace design. This is a good option for families that may be worried about small children touching the fireplace as it has a protective glass that stays cool to the touch.
It is a free-standing product that does require a bit of assembly.
Available on Amazon
Aspen Portable Free Standing Electric Fireplace Stove
This rustic-looking fireplace from Aspen is sturdy and quite lightweight, so you can move it from room to room if needed. It has all the standard safety features that you will need in a heater, including being cool to touch and having an auto-shutoff element if it is knocked over.
It doesn’t come with a remote, but it does have a low or high heat setting. It’s a beautiful small fireplace that will work well for all flooring types.
Find on Amazon
Comfort Zone Mini
There are lots of cute mini fireplaces that are great for small spaces like a child’s room. They aren’t all that different from small portable heaters; they just have the flames effect of creating a warming feeling in an area.
This mini heater from Comfort Zone is very popular with people who are just looking to heat small spaces; it can only heat up to about 200 square feet or less. It is suitable for kids and pets because it is cool to touch and also has an automatic turn-off feature if you knock it over or if it gets too hot.
Since it is relatively small and inexpensive, you don’t get a lot of features with it, but it does have two heat settings and a fan-only setting if you want to run it without the heat.
Find on Amazon
How do they work?
Electric fireplaces look like traditional fireplaces, but they work by drawing cool air into the unit, heating the air (usually with a heated electric coil), and then the heated air is released into the room by a fan.
Some fireplaces use infrared heat that heats the objects in the room evenly using infrared waves.
The flames work by using different types of lights (usually LED), rotating silver refractors along with three-dimensional patterns to create the flame effect.
Safety Features to Look for:
If you are reading this post, your primary concern is most likely finding a heater that will be safe for your kids or your pets. Most electric fireplaces are kid and pet safe because no actual fire is produced, so the unit should not get very hot to the touch.
Some units do get a little bit warm in areas that may be accessible to children or pets; it depends a lot on where the hot air is output.
If you want to be extra sure you are getting a safe product, look for products that have:
Cool touch- Most electric fireplaces stay cool to the touch on any glass that is present or on the entire unit overall since there is not a real fire heating things up.
The one thing you should watch out for is where the heat is being blown out from; sometimes it is on the bottom, top or the back. When choosing a brand or a style, you may want to think about where the hot air comes out and whether that may be within reach of your child or pet, since it may become warm to the touch.
A child getting a burn from a unit would be extremely unusual, but not out of the question if safety precautions aren’t being followed.
Automatic shut off– An essential safety feature you should always have on heaters in use around children and pets is an automatic shut-off. This usually means that the appliance will shut if it gets knocked over or overheats.
You can also get models that have a timer that allows you to set it so that it will shut off when the timer is up after the selected time. Automatic shut-off helps reduce the risk of fires that can occur if appliances get overheated.
For added safety, you should also check:
- That your electric fireplace meets all industry requirements for the country that you reside
- That it is installed away from carpet, drapes, or any flammable material.
- That whatever style you get is securely mounted. In particular, wall-mounted, or console styles should be anchored to a wall to prevent them from tipping forward since this can be extremely dangerous to toddlers.
Design Features
There is no shortage of design options for electric fireplaces. There are so many different styles available that you shouldn’t have any trouble finding something that suits your design aesthetic, whether it is modern, contemporary, or traditional.
You can get products built into a decorative mantel or a media center; you can also get inserts that fit into existing fireplaces, wall mounts, corner units, or mini-units for small spaces.
Other Features to Consider
Flame-One thing to look out for when you are choosing a style is the quality of the flame or how realistic it looks. The flame types do tend to vary quite a bit and is one design issue you might overlook but is quite essential to consumers’ overall satisfaction with the product.
Adjustable Heat Settings-To ensure that you can get the level of heat that you desire, make sure you get a model that has an adjustable heat setting; most will have at least a high or low setting.
Remote Control– A remote control can be a handy feature that allows you to adjust the settings on your electric fireplace without having to get up while you are relaxing.
Built-In Thermostat– A built-in thermostat allows the user to get a more precise temperature reading when changing the heat settings on the fireplace.
BTU rating– If you want to heat a 400 square foot room quickly, you will probably want to look for a heater with at least a 4,000 BTU. If the room is much smaller, you can probably get away with a lower BTU.
Optional heating – Most electric fireplaces can operate with or without heating, letting you enjoy the ambiance of your heating flame in the summer without producing any heat.
Can Electric Fireplaces Cause Fires?
Electric fireplaces won’t cause fires in the same way that a traditional fireplace might since there is no actual fire. However, like any appliance, they can become fire hazards if not properly maintained and used.
Despite being much safer than traditional fireplaces, there are still some risks to using any electrical appliances, especially if you don’t read and follow all of the safety information that comes with the fireplace. There are some basic safety rules to follow like don’t use an extension cord, keep them away from curtains and make sure they do not become overheated.
Electric Fireplace vs. Space Heater
Electric fireplaces and space heaters are pretty similar. Although there are a wide variety of different styles of portable heaters and electric fireplaces, so it’s hard to make sweeping generalizations about both types.
However, both are intended for use as supplemental heat sources and not a primary heat source. Both types use the same kind of heat sources (electric coils or infrared). The obvious difference is the flame effects on the fireplaces, which many people love and which can add a lot to the decor of a room. The addition of the flame feature, generally means you are probably going to pay a bit more for the fireplace than a space heater that would heat an equivalent size space.
Cost
The cost for these types of devices can range from around $50 to well over $500. The cost will depend on the size ( you can get a mini heater in the $50 range that may only heat a 200 square ft. room).
Generally, the bigger they get, the more you are going to pay. Also, the more elaborate designs (large surrounding mantel with stone, etc.) are features that will drive up the price. Heat output, quality of the product, flame options, and functions like a remote or a thermostat will also be factored in the price.
The cost to run an electric fireplace is considered relatively inexpensive, and depending on how you use them, you may be able to save as much as 10% on your overall heating bill.
Other Considerations
Aside from safety and design features, there are a couple of things you should consider before buying an electric fireplace:
Size- Depending on where you’re going to install your unit, you’ll need to consider the size. Take measurements to ensure the product you purchase is the right size for your home.
Installation- For the most part, installing these fireplaces couldn’t be easier. If you are planning on getting a media console, you may have to do a bit of assembly, but, generally, they come fully assembled with all of the parts that you need, and you just plug them in.
Warranty– It is essential to check and understand your warranty before you buy. Many are covered by a one-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
Electric fireplaces are a great way to keep your child or pet comfortable and safe. Unlike regular fireplaces, they can stay cool to the touch, while at the same time effectively heating a room. They can change the look of a room with very little effort and cost.
Most designs are also very portable, so you can take them with you if you move or if you just want to move the fireplace to a different room.
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