Safety 101 for Wood-Burning Fireplaces
Staying warm during the cold days and nights is always a top priority during winter, and nothing feels better than warming up in front of the fireplace. Many houses use wood fireplaces to stay warm. Not only is it effective, but there are many ways in which it is more eco-friendly than a traditional heater as well.
The obvious drawback of wood-burning fireplaces, of course, is the safety factor, especially if you have young children in the house. So, how do you minimize the safety hazards of fireplaces? Here are a few tips:
- Burn only firewood. Avoid using other kinds of materials, such as painted wood, scraps from construction, and crates. These woods may have been treated or mixed with other materials, which could make their burning unpredictable.
- Have a fire extinguisher nearby. It is always a good idea to hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. Having a fire extinguisher on hand will enable you to be equipped to immediately extinguish a fire if it spread from the fireplace.
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This will give you an alert if toxic elements become present in the air or if there is a fire somewhere in the house.
- Know how to light a fire. Avoid experimenting with fire, especially when you are inside the house. Learn how to properly use your wood fireplace from lighting a fire to keeping it going in a safe manner to extinguishing it properly.
- Clean your chimney to prevent clogging. A clean chimney allows smoke to freely escape your house. Always have your chimney checked and cleaned each year before using your fireplace.
- Do not put any combustible materials near your firewood or your fireplace. They will easily attract fire and may even cause explosions.
- Keep the room ventilated. Allow an escape for the smoke to avoid suffocation inside the house.
- Install a screen in front of your fireplace to prevent accidents. Children must always be warned not to go near the fireplace.
- Allow the ashes to completely cool before cleaning them up. This will prevent you from burning your skin from the residual heat still in the embers.
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