Fireplace lawsuits pose a tremendous threat to the Hospitality Industry. There is a simple fix to prevent the majority of them.
The vast majority of gas fireplaces installed between 1987, when they were invented, and 2004, don’t have safety screens installed on them; most gas fireplace manufacturers didn’t even offer safety screens with their fireplaces until about 2015.
The good news is that you can buy a gas fireplace safety screen from our company that makes fireplace safety screens in custom sizes to fit any gas fireplace that has already been installed. And, you don’t have to compromise the design aesthetic for safety. A good fireplace safety screen that attaches to your fireplace can also improve the appearance of your gas fireplace. Design and safety in an easy to install safety screen, it just makes good sense.
What should the Hospitality Industry do?
1. Install Safety Screens on any gas fireplace that doesn’t have one;
2. Educate all hotel personnel and guests, with in-room fireplaces, on the use and dangers of gas fireplaces.
The Hospitality industry is most at risk because of the number of children who come into contact with gas fireplaces in hotel rooms and restaurants. Many guests don’t own a gas fireplace so they really aren’t aware of the dangers associated with gas fireplaces and they need to be educated before they start using them in their hotel rooms.
Most guests don’t realize that the glass front of a gas fireplace can exceed 350 degrees and that the glass stays hot enough to burn skin for up to 30 minutes after the gas fireplace is turned off. Gas fireplaces do not cool down quickly. So what can you do? It is a simple solution, all hotels should install safety screens on their gas fireplaces.