 Firescreens in the modern home have become decorative shields of sheet metal, glass, or wire mesh that can be placed in front of a fireplace opening to protect the room from open flames and flying embers that may be emitted by the fire.Fire screens were used to cover the fireplace when nothing was burning inside it, and make it look more decorative.The "three-panel" fire screen, which covers the fireplace almost completely, has two side panels angled away from the central panel.