Fireplace Gates are Safety Equipment
It’s a good idea to keep your pet’s cushions and toys out of harm’s way by designating a space only for them that’s far from any open flames. A good rule of thumb to follow throughout the holiday season is to avoid placing any ornaments or lights around the top of the mantel (check out the article on Christmas fireplace ideas). These things have a well-known propensity for luring in cats, which increases the risk of the cats either knocking things closer to the fire or falling into it themselves.
There are situations in which the wisest course of action is not just to get rid of something, but rather to add something. It is hard to completely shield yourself and your pet from the fire, but there are a few things you can buy that will significantly lessen the likelihood that either of you will be hurt. Screens that surround fireplaces may be an effective deterrent against animals straying too near. When selecting the screen that is most suitable for you, check that it is the appropriate size and has the design that you want. Simply measure the aperture of your fireplace, add 10 inches to the width, and 3 inches to the height to get the correct dimensions for your mantel.
Glass is often safer than metal, despite the fact that metal lets more heat into the room. You’re probably already familiar with some of the additional accessories that might help you pet-proof your fireplace. In and around your home, you should install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, which should be inspected at regular intervals (about once a month) and updated at the very least once every 10 years.
It is important to have a fire extinguisher nearby and be familiar with how to use it in case of an emergency. Apply the PASS approach if you are unsure of something:
“Pull the pin out,” “Aim low toward the bottom of the fire,” “Squeeze the lever below the handle,” and “Sweep from side to side repeatedly,” are the instructions that must be followed to use the fire extinguisher.
Maintenance and Precautions for Use of the Fireplace
It’s a no-brainer that an improperly kept fireplace poses a threat to the safety of everyone in your house, including your animal companions, which is why it’s critical that you keep up on fireplace care. If you don’t take the effort to ensure that the entire system is kept in good functioning condition, then doing the things listed above is pointless.
Be careful to burn only dry wood, and check that both the flue and the damper are open before lighting a fire. This will prevent smoke from seeping into your home. On a regular basis, you should make the effort to wipe the ash that has gathered below the wood rack after it has been used. When you are cleaning the area below, it is imperative that you use protective gloves and make use of metal utensils such as a bucket and a shovel. After the ash has been collected, it should be completely diluted with water and then stored for at least a few days in a location that is free from anything that may catch fire before being disposed of.
It’s possible that you have a leak in your chimney if you see any water damage on the wall or ceiling surrounding it. Check to check whether any of the bricks on the chimney are cracked, eroded, or splayed, if this is something that you are able to do. A trained expert should conduct a thorough inspection of the property around once per year.
A chimney sweep should have all of the appropriate accreditation and skills, allowing them the ability to examine your fireplace and chimney in depth while maintaining a rapid and efficient eye for any inherent problems.
If you have any concern or inquiries but is not sure you can call Local chimney Sweep Cleaning to help you. We also offer professional Chimney Cleaning Kyburz and repairing.