I have a hearth gate for our pellet stove (we got it off ebay but they sell them at one step ahead) and it's at least 2 feet away from all sides. I don't allow the kids to touch the gate at all. I have a 1, 3, 4 and 6 year old and it's rarely a problem. The rare problem would be when one of them, usually the 4 year old, wants to curl up around the gate first thing in the morning with his blanket! I've explained that it's not safe past the gate and they don't challenge this one.

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