A fireplace can provide warmth on a cold winter evening, but if not maintained and operated properly it can become deadly. Keep your family safe by following these suggestions.
Fireplace safety tips:
- Have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned annually by a certified professional.
- Always use a fireplace screen.
- Clear the area around the fireplace and chimney of books, newspapers, magazines and other potentially flammable materials.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Install a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector in your home, maintain them properly and test them monthly.
- Use fireplace tools to tend the fire.
- Keep small children away from the fireplace.
- Keep a fire extinguisher available nearby.
- Never burn trash, cardboard boxes or debris in your fireplace.
- Never use flammable liquids to start a fireplace fire.
- Place logs at the rear of the fireplace.
- Never overload the fireplace.
- Stack firewood outside at least 30 feet from your home.
- Keep the top of the chimney free of debris and clear of tree limbs.
- Place fireplace ash outside your home in a non-combustible container and away from any structure to prevent embers from setting fire to nearby flammable materials in your house or garage.
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