With cooler temperatures on the horizon homeowners might be lighting their fireplaces for the first time since last winter. Here are some tips for keeping them safe and avoiding disaster:
- Open the chimney damper all the way.
- Don’t restrict the air supply by closing the glass doors.
- Place fire starter or kindling under the grate and two or three dry logs on the fire.
- Make sure the smoke rises in the chimney flue.
- If using a natural gas log starter, leave it on only to start the fire, then turn off the gas.
- Do not use flammable liquids or an excessive amount of paper to start a fire.
- When using a manufactured log, burn only one log at a time and do not add regular wood. Manufactured logs burn as hot as eight pieces of normal wood.
- Burn seasoned wood. Burning wet, unseasoned wood will result in more creosote buildup and increase the chance of fire.
- Don’t overload the fire box.
- Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace. Close the screen to keep embers from combustibles.
- Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.
- Never close a damper with hot ashes in the fireplace.
- Put the ashes in a metal container with a lid. Keep it outside at least three feet from your house.