Gas fireplaces are a popular alternative to wood-burning fire, but their doors pose a major hazard to toddlers. 

For 17-month-old Mykenzie Ocampo, the big windstorm that hit Western Washington in mid-December was life-changing. When the power went out, her parents turned on their gas fireplace for warmth.

"We told both kids, don't touch, this is hot, don't touch, and they got it,” said Ryan Ocampo, Mykenzie's father.

The glass fronts of the fireplaces can get intensely hot and can stay hot enough to burn a child for more than half an hour after the gas is turned off. 

Ryan Ocampo had already shut off the gas when Mykenzie leaned against the glass.

"I turned by back for two seconds, a couple of seconds, you know, and I heard this scream,” Ryan said. “I'll always remember that scream.”

The glass inflicted burns so deep that Mykenzie spent five days in Harborview Medical Center's burn unit. She required surgery for skin grafts on both palms. She's not alone.

"We've had eight kids in the last two months who have had palm burns which are from gas fireplaces,” said Dr. Elinor Graham at Harborview Medical Center. “And they put their hands on the glass. They're not so quick -- they're quick to get there but not very quick to get off. And in less than two seconds they have an incredibly deep burn.”

According to experts, the glass in front of a gas insert fireplace can reach 392 degrees Fahrenheit in just over 6 minutes. It may take 30 minutes to drop below 120 degrees.

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Mykenzie's hands were badly burned.

Even the pilot light can heat the glass doors enough to cause burns.

There are some products on the market that can help protect toddlers from a free-standing fireplace, as well as screens that can buy time for a parent to react when a child gets too close to a glass insert. It's time Mykenzie's parents realize they can't get back.

"We just have to look forward now and do what we can do to make her better,” said her mother, Michelle Ocampo.

Mykenzie may require more surgery and she'll need months of physical therapy on her hands.

Parents should keep in mind that many cases of child burns happen when a child is visiting another home, or at a vacation home where childproofing isn't already in place.