All fireguards, no matter the type, have the risk of overheating. No official regulations exist on what the distance should be from a stove or open fire in the United Kingdom and many of the stove manufacturers give individual instructions depending on the brand or model.

It is always advisable that children of any age are supervised when around fires or hot surfaces, regardless of whether a fire guard conforms to current safety requirements.

Consider the size of your fireplace and the room you have available. Measure the size of your fireplace. You want to make sure that the guard you choose is wide enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace. Measure the width and height of the fireplace and look for a fire guard that matches those dimensions.