Keeping Your Fireplace Safe Valyermo

Local Chimney Cleaning Valyermo — Destructive fires are ignited every year as a result of unsafe or incorrect use. Fires can be avoided if certain safety precautions are followed. You can keep your family and home safe from fire threats by following these guidelines.

Make sure the area around your fireplace is free of debris and clutter at all times. A fireplace can be a welcoming and comforting space, but it can also be dangerous. Keep newspaper, kindling, and firewood away from smoldering embers as much as possible. To keep those hot embers from leaping out of the fireplace, always use a fireplace screen.

You should also inspect your chimney on an annual basis. Over the summer months, a bird may have decided to nest in your chimney. That nest could prevent the smoke from exiting your home. The nest could possibly catch fire, or it might cause your home to fill with smoke. Either way, it is not an ideal situation. Creosote is a flammable material that will build up in your chimney over time, so you will also need to have it cleaned every year or so.

Another thing to be mindful of is the amount of wood you are burning at any given time. A fire can grow out of control quite easily and the more wood you use, the more heat and flames will be produced. Do not overload your fireplace. Be extra careful not to burn anything other than wood are a manufactured fire log. Newspapers or garbage are very dangerous when burned in a fireplace. Think smart.

Always keep a fire extinguisher on hand in case of an emergency. Getting a fire under control can take a long time, and you may not have time to seek for a fire extinguisher when you need one the most. In addition, make sure your home has smoke alarms. Check the batteries in your smoke alarms every couple of months, especially if they are powered by batteries. They should ideally be hard-wired into your home’s electrical system.

Never leave your fire unattended under any circumstances. Never let your children near a burning house, and always explain to them the dangers it entails. You can also get a film on fire safety tailored toward youngsters by going to your local fire hall. Make certain you do not go to bed unless the fire has burned out. By following these simple tips, you and your family can get cozy in front of the fireplace for years to come.