Baseboard Heat in the Play Area?

[Luna]

I don't have any experience with baseboard heating, so when my daughter asked I thought this would be the place to ask. She's setting up a play space for her little one and they have baseboard heating. Does she need to place a barrier there or are they safe to touch?

[Thriftylady]

You are talking about the ones in the baseboard in the wall near the floor right? If so I have never had an issue with them and have had them in most every house I have lived in. Floor heaters I am not so sure about, my grandparents had one and I don't remember it to well, but it was in the hallway where everyone walked a lot.

[Michael]

Are Baseboard Heaters Safe Around Children?
Child Safety is a common concern in homes that utilize baseboard heaters for space heating. Although Baseboarders® were developed to primarily address the need of making baseboard heaters look a whole lot nicer, the one-piece design has proven to also be an effective way of keeping flammable toys and little fingers away from the heating element. When it comes to safety, not all baseboard heaters are created equally. Hot water baseboard heaters operate at relatively lower temperatures and don't exhibit the wide-open cover design that electrical heaters do. When baseboard heaters make the news for all the wrong reasons, it usually involves an electric heater burning something it shouldn't. Here are some of the more common questions we receive about our decorative baseboard heater covers.

http://www.baseboardheatercovers.com/child-safety-around-baseboard-heaters/

From the fire department:

Baseboard Heaters Baseboard heaters are very efficient, but they can be a serious fire hazard if used carelessly. Common sense can prevent a baseboard heater fire. Any time a flammable object comes in contact with a heater, a fire could result.

Checklist for Baseboard Heaters
-Check baseboard heaters often and remove objects that have fallen on top or near the heater.
-Keep all furniture a safe distance from your heaters. Never block the flow of heat.
-Never permit electrical cords to rape across heaters.
-Always hire an experienced electrician to do any necessary repair work on your baseboard heaters.