What’s the point of having a wood fireplace safety unless you stoke it up? Okay, fine, it has a distinct aesthetic appeal – if, that is, you’re into holes in the wall.
Nope, a fireplace safety is made to burn wood, add a certain glow to a room, and keep you at least semi-warm as you enjoy the experience.
Wood fireplaces are also meant to be enjoyed safely and securely. In that vein, we offer you the following advice (or reminders) on how to accomplish both objectives.
Burn only dry, cured wood. Hardwoods such as hickory, white oak, beech, sugar maple, and white ash burn longest, though dry firewood is more important than the species.
Burn firewood and only firewood. Crates, lumber, construction scraps, painted wood, or other treated wood release chemicals into your home, compromising air quality. Log starters are fine for getting your wood fireplace going, but they burn very hot, so use only one at a time.
Don’t use chemicals. Fire and chemicals don’t mix! Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter. Don’t burn painted, pressure-treated, or plywood. These can give off a whole slew of toxic chemicals that could enter your living space.
Always keep a fire extinguisher handy. A single spark can start a house fire —so it’s best to be prepared.
Relocate flammable objects. Make sure the area around the fireplace is clear of anything that is potentially flammable like furniture, drapes, newspapers, books, and more.
Damper training. Be certain the damper or flue is open before starting a fire. Keeping it open until the fire is out will draw smoke out of the house. Do not close the damper until the embers have completely stopped burning.
Have your fireplace and chimney inspected. Call a chimney professional for an annual inspection and cleaning of your fireplace. If left unattended, the creosote that builds up inside the chimney can ignite and cause a serious home fire.
A Fireplace safety is Not Meant to Heat Your Home
While a roaring fire might make you feel warm and toasty when you’re right beside it, it’s an extremely inefficient way to heat your home.
That’s why we encourage you to take the best care possible of your home heating system, and nothing works better than a tune-up and inspection performed by one of our experienced home heating and cooling technicians. If it’s been a year or longer since your furnace has been tended to, contact Eagle Service Company today.
