As the weather gets colder, there’s nothing quite like the cozy warmth of a fireplace. There’s something so peaceful about the crackling of the wood and the orange glow in your home. Not to mention, the natural warmth of a fireplace keeps gas and electric bills down during especially cold winter days.
While fireplaces can be a wonderful addition to any living space, ensuring the safety of your household should always be a top priority. Here are some essential fireplace safety tips to help you enjoy the warmth without worry.
Schedule Regular Inspections
Before using your fireplace each season, it’s crucial to schedule a professional inspection and cleaning. A licensed professional can make sure your chimney is in its best shape to vent smoke and gases efficiently. Creosote, a by-product of burning wood, can accumulate over time in your chimney, creating a significant fire risk if left unchecked. This flammable substance can catch fire and lead to dangerous obstructions, preventing proper ventilation.
By having a professional inspection, you can also identify any structural issues, like cracks in the bricks or flue, which might compromise the integrity of your chimney. If nothing else, a professional can give you peace of mind, knowing that your fireplace has been inspected and any hazards have been addressed.
Choose the Right Wood
Selecting the appropriate wood for your fireplace is a necessity. Seasoned hardwoods, such as oak, maple, or birch, are recommended because they burn hotter and cleaner and contribute less to creosote formation. Burning green or wet wood leads to a smokier fire that can fill your living area and cause the build-up of creosote.
Properly seasoning your firewood involves letting it dry for at least six months before use. Avoid burning treated wood, painted surfaces, or any chemically enhanced igniters that may release harmful toxins.
Use a Fireplace Screen
Using a fireplace screen adds a layer of protection from rogue sparks or embers and is required by Texas law. With a sturdy screen, you can protect your flooring and furniture from potential burn marks and your family and pets from injury. It’s important to choose a screen that covers the entire opening of your fireplace – even small gaps might allow embers to escape.
Screens also serve as a barrier against curious little hands or paws, preventing accidental contact with the fire. While fireplace screens are crucial for safety, they’re not failproof solutions. Regularly check to make sure the screen is secure in its place and free from damage that might reduce its effectiveness.
Keep the Area Clear
Always keep a safe clearance area around your fireplace to prevent the potential of an accidental fire. Experts recommend keeping at least three feet of clear space between your fireplace and any flammable materials. This includes furniture, curtains, rugs, and decorative items that could easily catch fire if a spark jumps out unexpectedly. Furnishings made from wood, fabric, or synthetic materials could cause tragedy in an instant.
Try to keep igniting materials such as newspapers and matches in a separate, safe, and secure storage location, especially if there are small children or pets in your home. This will help prevent accidental ignition and reduce clutter that could lead to trip hazards or falling objects.
Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
With a fireplace in your home, installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors could potentially save your life. Smoke detectors sense the presence of smoke, allowing you time to extinguish small flames or evacuate in emergencies, while carbon monoxide detectors identify toxic gases. These devices should be installed on every floor and near sleeping areas and should be tested monthly to make sure they are functioning properly.
Replace the batteries of these devices annually. Consider replacing older detectors altogether, especially if they’re beyond their intended lifespan – typically about 10 years for smoke alarms. Make sure your family has a plan to escape in the event of a fire or gas leak.
Practice Safe Fire-Starting Techniques
Proper fire-starting techniques are critical in maintaining your safety when using your fireplace. Begin with creating a small bed of ashes from previous fires, which helps insulate the firewood and reflects heat back into the fire. Only use recommended fire starters designed specifically for indoor use. Using everyday lighter fluids, gasoline, or kerosene is extremely dangerous because these substances can produce uncontrolled flames and release harmful fumes.
Stack your wood on a metal grate to allow better airflow. Start with an igniter and small pieces of wood, gradually adding larger logs as the fire builds. Avoid overloading the fireplace with wood, which could cause excess smoke if the air can’t circulate properly. When lighting the fire, stick to the manufacturer’s instructions if using an electric or gas starter.
Never Leave a Fire Unattended
It may be tempting to leave your fire burning overnight to heat your home while you sleep, but a fire should never be left unattended, especially with children or animals in the home. Fires can quickly escalate from an escaped ember to an uncontrolled blaze without supervision. To completely extinguish a fire, allow the fire to burn down naturally, then spread the remaining embers out to cool down faster. Use cool ash to cover the embers and repeat the process until all flames and embers have been extinguished.
To prevent the flame from reigniting, you can pour a small layer of baking soda over the ash. Baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate, which is the same ingredient used in fire extinguishers. You should never use water to extinguish a fire from a wood-burning fireplace unless you are in immediate danger. Pouring water over an open flame can cause your home to fill with smoke, increase the risk of steam burns, and damage the structure of your fireplace.
Taking these necessary precautions can keep you and your family warm and safe during the upcoming winter!
