7 Fireplace Safety Tips

A warm and crackling fire is a wonderful way to enjoy a chilly winter’s eve. But before you strike a match, here are 7 fireplace safety tips you should know. When you keep these 7 fireplace safety tips in mind, you can enjoy a clean burning fire that not only is beautiful and toasty, but safe as well. Take a look!

7 Fireplace Safety Tips

1. Get a good cleaning.
Before your first fire of the season, get a thorough chimney cleaning by a professional. This is the first step in a cleaner burning fire and takes away a great deal of risk of a chimney fire.

2. Use a screen.
Use a fireplace screen or wall to keep small children and pets away from the fire. Most home improvement stores sell these in various styles and designs. Find one that you like and it will act as an important barrier between the fire and small ones.

3. Discuss fireplace safety with children.
Be sure you discuss the rules of the fireplace with children. Set a safe distance between them and the fire, go over expectations, and never leave them unattended.

4. Install a lock switch.
If you have a gas fire place, install a lock on the switch to keep children from turning it on without your knowledge. Your local home improvement store should carry these. At the same time, keep any gas fireplace remotes away from children.

5. Keep an extinguisher near.
Always keep a fire extinguisher near anytime there is a fire burning. Know how to use it in case of a fire and always make sure it is up to date.

6. Never use accelerants indoors.
Never use gas or any other kind of accelerant indoors. This can cause the fire to burn out of control quickly and is very dangerous. Only use products approved for indoor use.

7. Keep all fabrics away from the fire.
Don’t use blankets, curtains, or other fabrics near the fire. It is too easy for these items to ignite. Keep the area around the fire clear.

When you give these 7 tips for fireplace safety at try, you can enjoy a warm, cozy, and safer fire. Keep these on hand before you start your first fire of the season! You can also check out how to prepare an emergency car kit before the start of the winter season.