Cold winter months are right around the corner and utilizing a fireplace can be helpful in keeping your family warm and providing a cozy setting for the holiday season. Unfortunately, this time of year also brings an increase in the number of avoidable home fires. Keep your home safe with these fireplace safety tips:
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from the fireplace.
- Fireplaces should not burn for more than five hours.
- Never leave a fire unattended when children are in the house. Also, implement a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
- To prevent the room from becoming smoky, open a window. The air coming in from the window will go up the chimney.
- Heating equipment and chimneys should be cleaned and inspected every year (or after about 80 fires) by a qualified professional.
- Never clean out the ashes with a vacuum; live coals may remain in those ashes.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors and place them near your fireplace as well as bedroom areas.
- A chimney cap is used to prevent objects, rain, and snow from falling into your chimney, as well as reduces downdrafts.
- Using a nonflammable rug (available at fireplace-supply stores) in front of the fireplace will help ensure sparks from damaging your carpet.
- Clean the firebox at least once a week during the months you use the fireplace.
