Five Fireplace Safety Tips for Homeowners

Fireplaces can add warmth and ambience to any room. However, without proper upkeep and usage, a fireplace can be dangerous. Practice good fire safety and prevent house fires, burns, and other fire related damage by following these safety tips.Keep your fireplace and hearth cleanThe area around the fireplace and hearth should always be kept clear of debris, decorations, and any flammable materials. The ventilation window must also be kept free from debris and soot, as these can prevent its proper functioning.Child-proof the fireplace areaWhenever a fire is lit, children should be supervised by a repsonsible adult. Remove fireplace tools from children's reach, and consider putting safety barriers, such as a hearth gate, around the fireplace. Only adults should light the fire.Have your chimney inspected each yearUnclean chimneys can lead to house fires. Smoke from damp wood or low-burning fires can leave creosote on your chimney walls. Over time this can build-up and cause
its own fire. To avoid this kind of fire, homeowners should have their chimneys inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney inspector. Also, make sure that all branches hanging above the chimney, flues, and vents are removed.Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectorsSmoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every floor of the house. Homeowners should check these devices regularly to make sure that they are working properly. Exposure to carbon monoxide can be extremely dangerous. Carbon monoxide is a clear, odorless gas, exposure to which can hinder the blood's ability to carry oxygen. The best way to avoid expose to carbon monoxide is to install detectors and make sure that the batteries are replaced at least once per year.Learn how to properly light and put out a fireBegin by opening the flue. Lay several pieces of crumpled paper in the middle of the fireplace. Next, forming a teepee, lean pieces of kindling over the crumpled paper. Once th
e teepee is in place, ignite the paper. Leave the fireplace door slightly ajar to help the air to circulate. You can add larger pieces of dry wood to the fire once the kindling starts to burn. Be careful not to smother the fire, however. The fire should become less smoky as the dry wood begins to burn. Never leave your fire burning overnight. Before going to bed or leaving the area unattended, make sure that the fire is completely out and the flue closed.Scott Clawson is the Director of Marketing for Craft Stove and Fireplace Center. Craft Stove and Fireplace Center has served the Georgia region with the finest fireplace and stove services and equipment since 1979. They specialize in quality home heating and cooking products via their fireplaces and stoves. Whether building a home, retrofitting your heating system, or upgrading an existing stove, Craft Stove and Fireplace Center can assist you with suggestions and ideas for Atlanta Fireplace and Atlanta Woodstove prod
ucts that coordinate well in antique, modern, or contemporary settings. For more information, visit Craft Stove and Fireplace Center online at: www.CraftStoveandFireplace.com

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