Abstract: A thermocouple is connected to a fuel control valve which automatically feeds fuel to the burner of a gas or oil appliance when activated by a current generated by the thermocouple due to heat produced by the burner. A fusible link safety device having an electrically non-conducting base and containing a fusible filament adapted to melt at a predetermined temperature is located above and in front of the burner. The fusible link safety device is electrically connected in series with the thermocouple and the fuel control valve such that when the predetermined temperature of the fusible filament is attained thereby melting the filament, the electrical circuit from the thermocouple to the fuel control valve is broken thereby deactivating the fuel control valve and shutting off the flow of fuel to the burner.