Fireplace Safety Tips

Fireplace Safety Tips for Your Home.

'Tis the season to light up the hearth.

But before you do, here are some tips for keeping the home fires burning - safely.

1 Minimize creosote and soot buildup.

To minimize the buildup of soot and creosote (which can cause chimney fires), use seasoned hard wood - or manufactured logs, which burn even cleaner than real wood.

2 Take special care when burning manufactured logs.

Be sure to follow the directions on the bag. These logs burn hotter than regular wood and can potentially warp metal chimneys if you burn more than one at a time.

3 Only burn wood or manufactured logs in your fireplace.

Items such as some wrapping paper and foam peanuts release toxic fumes. And never burn Christmas greenery.

4 Beware the roaring fire.

Though a roaring fire looks attractive, it's not as safe. A too-hot fire can crack your chimney. Just a couple of logs at a time should do it.

5 Stack 'em right.

Stack the logs near the back of the firebox.

6 Open the damper before you light my (your) fire.

Open the damper first, and keep it open until the fire is completely extinguished.

7 Open glass doors and screen it.

Open glass doors (if your fireplace has them) and use a screen.

8 Give your fire a wide berth.

Don't position your Christmas tree (or anything else) near the roaring fire.

9 Santa (or someone) should always be watching the fire.

Never leave a fire unattended - and especially don't go to sleep with one blazing away.

10 Throw open the windows.

Or at least one. Fires require about five times as much oxygen as a room usually needs. To make sure there's enough oxygen for the fire to burn efficiently, open a window when you light a fire.

11 Don't mix hearth garland or hanging stockings or cards and a fire.

If you drape your mantel with garlands or hang stockings or cards from it, don't light your fire.

12 Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

Just in case.

A few items that may help keep your home fire-safe: