Before you light up those logs, make sure that your fireplace is ready with these crucial safety tips that could save your life.
With natural gas prices on the rise and heating bills being nothing short of outrageous, you might be looking to light your old fireplace this winter to help decrease that bill. Before you light the logs, you should know that fireplaces and chimneys are involved in around 42 percent of all home-heating fires. This is why it's important that you know proper fireplace safety protocol before you spark.
Fireplace Safety Tips
Hire a Chimney Sweep
The National Fire Protection Association says you should hire a chimney sweep at least once a year at the end of fall, or at the beginning of winter, to remove the debris like soot and ash from your chimney. Not doing so can clog the chimney and send the smoke back into your house.
Cap the Chimney
Fit a cap on top of your chimney to protect your home from the dangers of the outdoors. A cap can keep the rain out, as well as birds, squirrels, and other debris from entering. Replace or repair a cap that's missing or damaged.
Check for Damage
In addition to a proper cleaning, a chimney sweep should also inspect the outside of the chimney for cracks, loose bricks, or missing cement/mortar. Chimney liners should also be checked for any signs of wear and tear.
Burn Only Seasoned Hardwoods
Burn wood that's only been split and stored in a high and dry place for at least six months. Fresh timber and resinous softwoods like pine produce creosote, a residual chemical generated by the burning of this "wet" wood.
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