Safety around the home

[PitterPatters]

Hi,

I haven't been registered as a childminder for a while now and need some help please to bring me back up to speed....
I've moved house and have open fires (obvs I wouldn't use whilst childminding) however do I still need to have huge guards around them??
Thanks in advance
Emma

[sarah707]

The requirement is to keep children safe - if you don't use fire guards how do you keep them safe? ... that's what Ofsted will ask

[FloraDora]

I have a coal fire that I only use at weekends as have central heating too. I just use my normal guard and have a risk assessment. The biggest issue I had was an unstable toddler and I put pillows in nice cases along the hearth incase they fell into it. They didn't because I usuall put a tray of something in front as its the biggest area in my living room to play.
None of mine touch the guard or fire place, recent OFSTED visit - nothing mentioned.

A good risk assessment will focus you on potential risks, then you can decide if you think you need a big guard or not.