Tips For Keeping Your Fireplace Safe

Fireplaces have long been both a practical and decretive home feature

. Before the modern inventions of television and radio the fireplace served as a gathering place for families to share stories and stay warm on cold nights. The fireplace has had many evolutions during its creation centuries ago. Whether you live in a historic home with many elaborate wood burning fireplaces in every room or a small modern condo with a sleek gas burning unit it is important to be educated about fireplace safety. These beautiful accent features can turn deadly if they are not properly cared for. More than 36% of household fires are caused by creosote buildup or other fireplace mishaps that can be easily prevented.

The first step you can take toward keeping your family safe is to keep your fireplace clean and maintained. Scheduling an annual inspection of your chimney and fireplace is a good idea. Certified chimney specialists have the tools necessary to find, examine, and fix potential problems before they escalate. If you are designing a new fireplace you will want to choose fire resistant materials like concrete and stone to decorate walls and other surrounding areas. Also, keep the hearth clear of any flammable nick knacks or other potential fire hazards. Adding a decorative mesh screen can help contain burning embers from being blown into your room where they could be hazardous.

An out of control fire is very dangerous. When lighting a fire you should avoid using flammable liquids that can cause dangerous explosions. When you are building a fire in a wood burning fireplace the logs should be in the rear of the fireplace to keep the fire contained. Using dry hard wood will decrease the amount of build up in your chimney that can cause fires. Never leave a fire unattended, you should completely extinguish the fire in your fireplace before leaving the house.

Every house should have smoke alarms installed on every floor. Place alarms inside rooms where people will be sleeping and in hallways outside the doors of these rooms as well as in the kitchen and any room with a fireplace. You should test these alarms regularly, and change all of the batteries every 12 months. These alarms are the last line of defense to help you prevent a fire tragedy in your home.

There are also steps that can be taken outside your home to help make your fireplace safer. Many fires start in the chimney and can mover to the roof of your home. You should have a mesh screen to help prevent sparks from exiting your chimney. Keep your roof clear of all debris and check it regularly. On the roof all fireplace vents should extend no less than tree feet beyond roof height. Low hanging branches over these vents and other flues can cause unnecessary risk. Trimming these branches and also branches near your chimney will help protect your and your family.

With the proper care fireplaces can add value to your home and be a gathering place to make memories for generations to come.

by: Lawrence Reaves

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