Maintain Your Fireplace!
Like anything else, fireplaces must undergo yearly maintenance to ensure the safety of your family. In particular:
· An annual inspection by a chimney specialist (about $45 in our area) is helpful in determining if there are cracks in the flue lining, bricks and mortar. Any structural problems should be repaired prior to operating the fireplace.
· Ask your chimney sweep professional to check for obstructions (such as a bird’s nest) and to inspect the chimney for creosote buildup.
Safe Operation:
· Make sure your fire alarms have fresh batteries and are in working order by testing them monthly!
· Install a type ABC fire extinguisher near the fireplace.
· Install a screen to completely cover the fireplace opening to keep sparks from flying out.
· Keep combustible materials such as carpets, furniture, paper, logs and kindling at least 3-feet away from the fireplace.
· Arrange grate and irons so logs can’t roll out.
· Use only enough gas (if a gas fed fireplace) or wood to keep the fire at the desired temperature. Avoid roaring fires. They can start chimney fires from soot and creosote deposits in the flue.
· Do not use gasoline or other flammable liquids to kindle or rekindle a fire. Flammable vapors can explode! Any flammable liquids, including those from craft projects can vaporize and travel the length of a room!
· Keep the damper open while the logs or gas is burning to provide for efficient burning and to prevent accumulation of poisonous or explosive gases.
· Never burn Christmas tree greens. They cause many sparks when burning and can cause a chimney or house fire.
· Remove colored comic sections before rolling newspapers into logs. The colored inks contain lead and can provide toxic gases.
· Do not use coal, charcoal or polystyrene packaging in a fireplace unless the fireplace is designed to handle the excess heat and smoke, which occurs when burning these materials.
· Do not treat artificial logs the same way you treat real wood logs. Use only one at a time. If you use more, they can produce too much heat fro some fireplaces to withstand.
· Keep children away from the fire! For younger children, special gates, etc. can be purchased to further increase the distance between the fire and your child.
· Be sure all ashes have thoroughly cooled before you dispose of them. Put ashes in a lidded metal container to prevent a possible fire and provide a sturdy place to store them. Ashes make good fertilizer in gardens, flowerbeds, etc.
· Be sure the fire is out completely before retiring for the evening.
Fires kill children each year. Make these tips a family priority so you have many, many more happy holidays ahead of you!
