The fireplace is one of the most comforting and luxurious features in any home. But they’re not without their flaws. Fireplaces must be handled, maintained, and enjoyed with care—especially if you have children or pets. Be sure to always practice proper safety measures when using your fireplace. Keep reading for essential tips from a chimney sweep in Marietta that will help protect you, your loved ones, and your fireplace.
Why Fireplace Safety Matters
Fireplaces are an obvious risk because you’re igniting an open flame in your home. While the average fireplace and chimney system is designed for safety, fires and their residue can be unpredictable. Practicing safety is good for everyone in your home. However, safety is about more than just preventing immediate injuries. Safe measures protect your house and fireplace from incurring damages that would be expensive to repair.
Top Safety Tips
- Always ensure that the damper or flue is open before you ignite a fire. Otherwise, dangerous fumes will release into the interior of your home, causing smoke damage and impacting the health of those nearby.
- Clean out the ashes of any previous fires to minimize smoke release and ensure a flame has more airflow.
- If you can, keep a nearby window slightly ajar while using your fireplace. This helps guarantee healthy ventilation.
- Keep the damper or flue open until the fire is out and all embers have finished burning.
- If you have a woodburning fireplace, always use dry, aged wood. It produces the least amount of smoke. While you may be tempted to collect fresh wood from around your yard, fresh or wet wood will release more smoke. It also burns unevenly.
- Cut wood into smaller pieces for a healthier, safer flame.
- Never leave a fire unattended or burn a fire overnight.
- Never leave your children or pets near the fireplace unattended. Keep matches, stokers, and other fireplace materials out of reach of children.
- For more information on teaching your children about fire safety, go to HealthyChildren.org.
- Place safety screens in front of your fireplace to protect everyone from the fire without blocking airflow.
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the same room as the fireplace. A single detector in your home doesn’t offer enough protection unless it’s in the appropriate room.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in your home near the fireplace.
- If you have to leave your home urgently while a fire is lit, use the fire extinguisher to put out the flame.
- Finally, have a chimney sweep maintain your fireplace and chimney regularly.
The Importance of Maintenance
Have your chimney checked annually. A chimney sweep can conduct essential cleaning services to help remove odor and can also perform chimney repair services. For instance, is your chimney leaking water? A chimney sweep can identify the cause of your leak. They can also inspect your chimney for soot buildup, odor problems, animal nests, ventilation issues, and so much more.
A clean and well-maintained chimney helps improve fireplace safety. If you’re looking for a chimney sweep, call Atlanta Chimney Doctor today. Our trained and experienced staff can help maintain your chimney and fireplace to prevent injuries and home damage. We can also assist you if you’re experiencing problems like a chimney leaking in Marietta, GA.