The National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org) states that your fireplace should be inspected once a year and cleaned if needed. Also, use only dry, seasoned wood to avoid creosote build-up, an oily deposit that catches fire easily and accounts for most chimney fires. Additionally, make sure you have a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying out in the room, and place a fire proof mat in front of your hearth.
These simple practices should help keep your family safe and warm during the 2009-2010 winter season.
Don't forget the damper. It lets the smoke go up the chimney when the fire is going and keeps you from heating the great outdoors when there's no fire in the place. If the damper gets closed while things are still smoldering you'll get a smokey buildup in the house and might trap poisonous carbon monoxide indoors as well.
ReplyDeleteA smoke detector will wake you up if there's smoke in the house but very few people have a CO detector (tech talk for 'carbon monoxide') - especially near the fire place. Carbon monoxide is produced when there's not enough air for something to burn well so it doesn't happen if things are well ventilated. Just be careful about the low, smoldering hot coals in the fireplace.
Or just use gas and be sure to turn it off when you're done.
You still need the damper, though.