Having a fireplace in your Indianapolis home offers a great way to enjoy cozy evenings when it’s cold out. However, it’s important to follow these tips for fireplace safety in order to lower the risk of fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other dangers. Keep these tips in mind so you can use your fireplace safely this winter.
Get Your Fireplace Ready
Before using your fireplace this season, make sure you have it inspected and cleaned. Creosote can build up inside fireplaces, which could lead to a chimney fire. Having soot and creosote removed and an inspection done helps ensure that your fireplace is ready to use safely.
Choose the Right Kind of Wood
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you should only burn wood that is dry and seasoned. Damp wood won’t burn as effectively as dry wood. Keep in mind that natural firewood tends to give off more embers than packaged wood, so you’ll need to watch your fire closely if you use this type of wood.
Move Flammable Objects Away
Make sure that there aren’t any flammable items (such as furniture or books) near your fireplace, since these could ignite if embers hit them. These items should be kept a couple of feet or more away from your fireplace.
Install Doors or Screens
Embers can lead to fires or burns if they fly out of your fireplace when you have a fire going. Put a fireplace screen or doors in place to prevent this from happening and to increase fireplace safety.
Always Supervise Fires
If you want to ensure the ultimate in fireplace safety, don’t leave fires unattended, especially if you have children or pets around. If you’re using your fireplace at night, don’t go to bed until the fire is completely out.
Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Fireplaces can leak carbon monoxide if you’re not careful. Make sure your home has smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed on each floor. These detectors will instantly alert you if your home has smoke or a carbon monoxide leak.
If you need more information on fireplace safety for your Indianapolis-area home, contact Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing today.
