Now that autumn is in full swing, we’re heading into the chilly part of the calendar. No matter where in the country you live, chances are you’re dealing with temperatures that are a little bit colder than the ones from the past few months.
If you’re in a home with a fireplace, you’re probably thinking about using it soon if you haven’t already. And we’re not talking about a more modern, remote-controlled fireplace either. We’re talking about the real deal: bringing wood into your home and starting a real-life fire to heat things up a bit. As great as it is for aesthetics and vibe to have a roaring fire contained in the home, it also comes with obvious risks. Luckily, there are steps you can take to ensure you and your family are safe from the risk of the fire escaping the confines of the fireplace. Here are just a few of them:
Clean Often
When you have enough fires, the ash begins to collect at the base of the fireplace. When it gets higher than an inch or so, it will begin to restrict the air supply to the logs, which can create more smoke. Be sure to clean out the ashes from time to time.
Make Sure the Damper is Open
The chimney damper should remain closed when you don’t have a fire going to ensure that cold air doesn’t find its way into your home. But before you start the fire, be sure to open the damper to allow the smoke to escape. Don’t close it back up again until the embers of the fire have totally burned out.
Use The Right Wood
You can’t have a good fire without wood. But you can’t have a safe fire without using the right type of wood. The best kind of logs to use in your fireplace are dry and aged ones. Wet logs and ones that are too green will create more smoke, which can lead to more soot buildup in your chimney.
Beware of Flammable Objects
Your fireplace and the area directly around it obviously become hot during a fire. Be sure to keep all flammable objects such as curtains, furniture, and anything made of paper away while the fire is burning.
Following all of these recommendations will help you cut down on the likelihood of a fire spreading past the fireplace in your home. But it’s always wise to have a backup plan. Fire Tech Residential Sprinklers can provide you with another line of defense against fires. We can give a quick, accurate and free estimate, install sprinklers in your home, condo, townhouse or apartment and then can perform inspections that work with your schedule. Contact us to learn more today!