Make Sure to Prioritize Safety When Using Your Fireplace | SERVPRO® of The Lower Shore

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

As the weather turns cooler and the nights get longer, more and more of us will be making use of fireplaces to heat our homes throughout the winter. While this can be done safely, it is important to always use caution when an open flame is involved, even when it is mostly contained. It has been found that the majority of house fires occur during the winter months, many of which are due to issues related to fireplaces and heating accidents.

Fortunately, there are plenty of safety measures you can take to make using your fireplace a much less risky experience. You can have all the coziness of a warm, crackling fire without nearly as much of the risk thanks to these helpful tips below.

Helpful Tips to Make Using Your Fireplace Safer

The National Fire Protection Administration reports that half of home heating fires occur between December and February, but with safety in mind, you can reduce your chances of one happening to you. Here are some great tips for using your fireplace safely:

• Always have your chimney inspected before use each year.
• Never leave a fire unattended, whether you are going to sleep or leaving the house.
• Keep a three-foot buffer around the fireplace that is free from flammable objects, children and pets.
• Make sure to always have a fire extinguisher nearby in case embers do begin to spread.
• Avoid using a vacuum to clean up ashes, as they can still spark fires.
• Do not let ashes build up to be more than an inch thick in the bottom of the firebox.
• Be sure that no tree limbs or other debris have grown near your chimney, and always trim them back before using the fireplace.
• Use a metallic mesh screen or glass fireplace guard every time you start a fire.
• Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operational each time you use your fireplace.

If you have fire damage to your home, we are here to help with the restoration process from beginning to end. You can get in touch with us any hour of any day to report damage—contact us for more information.