Fireplace Safety

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

Chimney Safety Tips

Fireplace Safety

The holidays have come and gone. The new year and new decade are upon us which for those in New England, brings cold weather, ice, and snow. With colder weather, your fireplace becomes more than just a focal point of your home. For many, it becomes a heat source to keep you and your loved ones warm. It also helps keeps your house from freezing temperatures that could cause frozen pipes and water damage. Before you throw a log on the fire and light a match to keep your family toasty, consider these 8 tips to keep you safe.

1. Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected by a professional. There could be soot build up, cracks, or loose bricks.
2. Check your fire and carbon monoxide detectors to help avoid fire and smoke damage. It is a good practice to replace the batteries every spring and fall when we change the clocks.
3. Ensure your chimney is capped. This helps keep rain, birds, squirrels and debris from entering.
4. Use kindling to start the fire instead of flammable liquids. Also be sure to burn well-seasoned wood.
5. Don’t overload your fireplace. A fire that is too hot can crack your chimney, and could get out of control very quickly.
6. Use a spark guard to keep any ambers from shooting out damaging your floor and possibly igniting a fire.
7. Have a metal container nearby to remove and store hot ash. These ambers can stay hot for a while so be sure to keep it a safe distance outside away from your home.
8. Even if you had your chimney inspected, look for signs of creosote and soot buildup. Creosote is a dark substance that can build up if wood isn’t burning completely.

No need to get the chills this winter! By following these simple tips, you can help keep your family safe until warmer temperatures return. If you find yourself in situation where a fire or puff back has occurred, SERVPRO® of Salem/Plaistow is always here to help get your home back “Like it never even happened.” Call us at 603.893.9700 for a complimentary quote.