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Fireplace Tips

Aug 12, 2016

As fall and football start to approach, so does that cool weather. Time to start preparing that beautiful fireplace – here are some quick fireplace do’s and don’ts to keep you, your family and your home safe as the weather starts to change.

Fireplaces and wood stoves are cozy and warm for the winter. In order to keep the air healthy and reduce the risk of fire, you need to be aware of the risks they pose. Here on some tips on staying safe and healthy.

Wood fireplace: Burning wood improperly can produce dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide, organic gas and heavy smoke.
  • Burn only seasoned hardwood such as oak, maple and hickory
  • Avoid burning soft wood and never burn newly cur or wet wood
  • Do not burn wood that has been painted, treated or made with glue (such as partical board)
  • Never burn papers that contain bleaches or dyes. The particals can clog air passages in a fireplace and produce corrosive gases.


Chimneys
  • Puff backs are dangerous, an obstructed chimney or flue causes smoke to build up in the house. Blockages can be caused by soot buildup or by bird’s nests
  • Watch for weak chimney draft, this can cause smoke to have trouble escaping
  • Have your chimney inspected or clean at least once a year. This job is best done by a professional.


On the Hearth
  • Use proper fireplace equiptment
  • Keep a grate under the fireplace box that allows the fire to breathe
  • When building a fire, place the wood at the back of the fireplace
  • Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
  • Have protective doors or a fire screen in front of the fire
  • Keep all combustables at least 36 inches away form the fire, the further the better



By keeping these tips in mind, you can rest assured that your fireplace remains a nice, cozy treat in the winter. For further fire tips, keep reading our weekly blogs.