One of the biggest responsibilities of owning a fireplace is educating yourself on fire safety. Without proper knowledge of fire safety procedures, a warm night in front of the fire could quickly go wrong.
Essential Fireplace Safety Tips
- Get Your Chimney Cleaned: Calling in a professional to clean and inspect your chimney at least once per year is possibly the most important step in chimney maintenance. The creosote that accumulates in a chimney is highly flammable and a build-up of it is sure to cause a house fire. A certified expert will ensure that everything is cleaned out and that your fireplace is safe for use.
- Create a Plan: Make sure everyone knows what to do and where to go should a fire start in your home. You may have only minutes to escape safely, so knowing exactly what procedures to follow is vital. Once you have a plan set, practice it regularly. Also, set up some back-up routes in case your initial pathways are blocked by smoke or flames.
- Check Your Smoke Alarms: Keep an eye on your smoke alarms and check them on a regular basis to ensure that they are in working order. Once set up, do not disable them or take them down. If a fire occurs during the night, a smoke alarm will be one of the first ways anyone in the house is informed and could make the difference in getting everyone out safely.
- Clear the Area: When starting a fire in your home, be sure that the surrounding area is cleared of anything flammable. It is easy to toss clothes or blankets around the house, but if these come too close to a fire, you could put yourself in a hazardous situation. Also, many love the idea of decorating their mantle or fireplace, but this is not always the best idea. Make sure that any decorations are a sufficient distance away and, preferably, not flammable.
- Educate Yourself: Fireplace maintenance is not something to take lightly. Be sure that you are fully educated before committing yourself to using your fireplace regularly. Use properly seasoned wood and clean out ashes and debris as needed. Also, use only the proper tools when starting a fire and avoid using chemicals or garbage.
At Home Safe Hearth & Chimney Inc., we work hard to ensure that your home is as safe as possible. Call us today with any questions, and be sure to schedule an inspection from one of our certified professionals.