Keep These Items Away From Your Fireplace
If there are some things in your home that you try not to burn, then your fireplace will be easier to manage and keep clean. Be wary of the following items, since they may include chemical components that are harmful to your fireplace, chimney, or even your health.
Fresh Fruit Peels
A lot of people enjoy adding perfumes to their fireplace, and the most popular choices are typically fruity fragrances like oranges, lemons, apples, and so on. The issue is that fruit peels that are still fresh and moist can smolder in a fire, which will result in an excessive amount of smoke and the formation of creosote. If you want to make the most of your fire, it is recommended that you first dry the peels of your fruit in the oven at a low temperature, and then throw them on the fire. You will still smell clean, but there will be no moisture left in the air.
Batteries
Believe it or not, magazine advertisements from several decades ago actually advised householders to burn batteries in their fireplaces because it was believed that burning zinc would prevent the production of creosote (burning batteries also resulted in a rainbow of beautiful colors). While this may have been the case in the past, batteries used today are designed to burst into flames when subjected to extremely high temperatures and can inflict serious chemical burns. In addition to the risk of burns, the gases that are produced when chemicals are burned are extremely toxic. Instead, it is strongly recommended that you dispose of your batteries in the appropriate manner.
Fabric
To start a fire in the fireplace, it may appear to be a good idea to toss in some old T-shirts, rags, and other pieces of fabric; nevertheless, you should avoid doing this. As it burns, fabric and clothes will produce an unpleasant odor in addition to a significant amount of smoke. Creosote will form on the interior of the chimney as a result of this smoke, which increases the risk of chimney fires. The best course of action would be to gather those worn-out clothing, place them in a bag, and take them to the local shelter for the homeless or the local SPCA.
Charcoal
Charcoal can generate a significant amount of heat, as seen by the glowing embers at the bottom of a charcoal barbecue, which can be seen by everyone. Additionally, it generates carbon monoxide, which, while hazardous in enclosed spaces, poses a lesser threat when released into the open air. However, if there is an excessive amount of airflow, the charcoal can burn at temperatures that are twice as high as wood, which might cause the chimney or flue to get damaged. Because of this, charcoal should ideally be reserved for use on outdoor grills throughout the summer.
Christmas trees
When you have a fireplace that burns wood, it might be tempting to chop up your live Christmas tree and burn it in the fireplace. In addition to the fact that the evergreen wood of your Christmas tree has not been properly seasoned, it also includes a significant amount of resin. These resins burn rapidly and can explode, which increases the likelihood that a chimney fire would break out.
Plastics
It is not safe to burn any form of household plastic in a fireplace, including bubble wrap, plastic cups, or other plastic items. Plastics are responsible for the emission of a variety of hazardous compounds, some of which include hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, dioxins, and heavy metals. These pollutants are hazardous to both your health and the environment.
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