Fall in Love with These Fireplace Safety Tips

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’re falling in love…with fireplace safety that is, and we think you should too! There’s nothing quite like curling up by the fire with your latest flame. Whether it be friends, family, or even a good book, nothing beats a night by the fireplace. But before you light the fire, take a look at some of our favorite tips for safely enjoying the cozy ambiance!

Using your fireplace safely is not only good sense, but a great way to improve your overall experience. Knowing how and when to use your fireplace is crucial for any fireplace owner and, surprisingly, there may be a lot you don’t know about how to properly use, maintain, and enjoy your fireplace. So, let’s discuss some very important fireplace safety tips that every fireplace owner should know.

Is It Safe to Use My Fireplace?

Knowing whether or not it’s safe to use your fireplace may seem like common sense, however there may be factors that you’re unaware of. If there are any hidden damages or malfunctioning parts in your fireplace or chimney, it can create an unsafe environment to burn a fire. There are so many ins and outs of your fireplace that not everyone knows about.

The best course of action when it comes to checking if your fireplace is safe for use is to keep up with your annual maintenance. Scheduling regular cleanings and inspections with a professional chimney sweep can help you avoid the risks involved in enjoying your fireplace.

Is My Chimney Safe for Use?

Much like your fireplace, it’s important to understand your chimney. Knowing how to check for the most basic signs of damage can come in handy, however nothing beats a professional inspection.

So, what are some things to look for in your chimney before you call in the pros? Any signs of brick-and-mortar damage, rust, water damage, foul odors and strange sounds, excess smoke, or creosote buildup can all point to trouble in your chimney.

Tips for Enjoying a Safer Fireplace

Now that you know how to ensure your fireplace and chimney are in good shape and ready to go, it’s important to know some of the basics of enjoying a safer fire.

Burn the Right Firewood

Did you know that different woods can have different effects on your fireplace? Hard, seasoned firewood is best for your fireplace. “Seasoned” firewood is simply wood that has been properly dried out. By properly drying your wood you can ensure lower levels of smoke production in your fireplace therefore limiting the amount of creosote that builds up in your chimney.

 Understanding How to Use your Damper

Your fireplace damper opens and closes in order to stop cold air drafts when the fireplace is off as well as allowing smoke to escape when the fire is burning. Knowing how to use your damper and ensure that it is in the proper position is simple. Dampers are connected with a lever that allows you to simply open and close the metal door. Some signs that your damper may be in the wrong position are if you are experiencing a strong cold draft from your chimney when the fireplace is not burning or, perhaps more importantly, if you are experiencing excess smoke building up and spilling out of your fireplace.

How to Safely Put your Fire Out

It may not seem that complicated. I mean, you just put it out, right? Some people may not be aware that there is in fact a proper way to put out your fire. If you cannot wait for your fire to burn out on its own and need to leave the home or go to sleep before the fire has run its course, the best way to put out the fire is by spreading out the embers and logs using a poker, then carefully pouring baking soda over the embers and wood until the fire is smothered and extinguished.

You should never pour water into your fireplace to put out the fire. Pouring water over the burning logs may appear to help, however, it will not fully extinguish your fire. Water could also cause the wood to pop, sending flying Embers into your space or create a hot steam that could easily harm you.

Call Felgemacher for All Your Fireplace Needs

Felgemacher has a trained and experienced team of professionals ready to lend a helping hand with maintenance, repairs, installations, and more. Give us a call or contact us online today!