Top 7 Fireplace Safety Tips

There’s no denying that a fireplace is a wonderful invention. It not only adds warmth to your home, but is easy to maintain and gives your house a homey aesthetic. However, as wonderful as fireplaces are, they can be dangerous if you aren’t careful. For those who have used fireplaces for years, these safety tips have become second nature. However, if you are a first time fireplace owner, you may be unaware of these crucial safety tips. Here are the top 7 ways to ensure that you can enjoy your fireplace without any problems:

Use the right type of wood

When it comes to a fireplace, the type of wood you use is crucial. Use only dry and cured firewood. When wood has too much moisture, it won’t burn properly and other types of wood could release toxic chemicals.

Install a chimney cap

A chimney cap is important because it can prevent debris and animals from entering your chimney.

Install detectors

Detectors are arguably the most important safety tip when it comes to owning and operating a fireplace. However, keep in mind that you should install both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors can let you know if there is a problem with your fireplace- such as smoke coming back into your house- or if there is an active fire. Carbon monoxide detectors, on the other hand, will inform you if your fireplace is releasing toxic levels of carbon monoxide. This can happen if there is a problem with your fireplace, such as smoke being unable to exit from the chimney.

Get your chimney professionally cleaned regularly

If you want to be safe, it’s crucial to have your chimney professionally cleaned at least twice per year. One of these times should be just before winter, as objects like bird’s nests can be blocking your chimney. When professionals like The Original Chimney Sweepers clean your chimney, we do more than just give it a thorough sweeping. We also perform a safety inspection to ensure that your fireplace is structurally sound.

Build your fire slowly

When making a fire in your fireplace, start slow. Add more firewood as the fire starts to grow. When you try to build a huge fire all at once, it could get out of hand fast and pose a safety hazard.

Keep debris away from your chimney

If you have trees that hang over your chimney, be sure to keep the branches cut. Additionally, have your roof swept for leaves and other debris that could fall into your chimney. When items block your chimney, they could prevent smoke from exiting, which can cause smoke to spill into the house or start a fire.

Keep a fire extinguisher on hand

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. While you’re unlikely to experience an unruly fire if you follow the above safety tips, it’s important to keep a fire extinguisher on hand just in case.

At The Original Chimney Sweep we are passionate about client safety. While we love chimneys and fireplaces, we understand that they can be dangerous if not handled properly. We hope that these tips can help keep you and your family safe year-round!