Fireplace Safety Tips for You and Your Family

October 18, 2021 5:17 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Winter is coming, and that means you and your family will get to enjoy your fireplace. Nothing’s better than gathering around a warm fire on a cold evening with your favorite beverage and a good book.

While sitting by the fireplace is typically a cozy experience, you do want to remember that there are potential hazards. Here are our safety tips when you have a fireplace—keep these in mind before you light the first logs of the season!

How to maintain safety with your fireplace

Before you start building your first fire of 2021, read over these tips to ensure safety:

  • Use dry wood that’s been aged appropriately. If you use wet wood or wood that’s still green, you’re liable to create more smoke, which will add more soot buildup inside the chimney. Dry wood will burn more evenly and generate less smoke.
  • Keep a window cracked open while the fire is going. This will prevent the buildup of smoke in your home and provide needed ventilation.
  • Use smaller pieces of wood on a grate. These will burn faster and produce less smoke.
  • Be sure to clean out the fireplace of the previous fire’s ashes. Levels of ashes should be kept at one inch or less. This is because a thick layer of ash will obstruct the supply of air to logs and cause more smoke.
  • Double check that the flue or damper is open before you start the fire. Keeping this open will ensure the smoke is drawn out of the house. You can check the damper by looking in the chimney with a flashlight or mirror. Don’t close the damper until the fire’s embers are completely extinguished.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher on hand, and make sure you know how to use it.
  • Never leave a fire unattended. Before you go to bed, make sure the fire is completely extinguished. If you have small children, never leave them alone in the room while the fire is still burning or still hot.
  • Check the chimney regularly for animal nests or any other blockages. This is especially important the first time you light the fireplace during fall or winter.
  • Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home. Test these at least monthly and change out the batteries as needed.
  • Clear the area around the fireplace of anything that could be flammable. This includes newspapers, magazines, curtains, books, etc. If these items are too close to the fire, it’s possible they could burn and the fire could spread through your home.
  • Any fireplace tools and accessories should be kept out of young children’s reach. Make sure they also don’t have access to lighters or matches.
  • Have a licensed and qualified chimney inspector come to your home on a regular schedule. They’ll be able to spot any potential safety problems ahead of time.

We hope you find these safety tips helpful when you have a fireplace and want to enjoy it to its fullest.

Custom Fire Art’s team of professionals offers superior workmanship and dependability. Since 2008, we’ve been the region’s premier designer of custom fireplaces, fire pits and outdoor kitchens. Contact us right now to find out how we can help with all your fireplace needs.

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