So here are some fireplace safety tips to follow this winter.
December 21st marks the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. The pass it, you will want to fire up your fireplace. This is also the first day of winter. So here are some fireplace safety tips to follow this winter.
Be Careful
When it comes to fireplace safety, you’ve got to be careful. If you used your outdoor fireplace many times this summer, then you should be familiar with the basics: how to light it, how to extinguish it, how to refill it with firewood, and so on. If you have a wood burning stove attached to your fireplace, be sure to read all of the instructions that come with it in the owner’s manual.
Don’t use gas or lighter fluid to start a fire, as that is incredibly dangerous. Also, don’t burn anything in your fireplace that has paint or is covered in chemicals, because you don’t know how these substances will react to being heated in a fire. The fumes can harm you, your family, and the different parts of your fireplace. Properly contain the ashes that are left behind once the fire has gone out because any sparks or embers that remain can get the fire going again.
Check Smoke Detectors
Then, you’ve got to make sure that all of your smoke detectors and alarms work. Once you’ve established that, make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are functional as well. If you don’t have them on every single level of your house, then install some more. If you live in an apartment, make sure you have more than one of each in case of failure before an emergency.
Check Fire Extinguishers
Along with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, you need to inspect your fire extinguishers. Keep a fire extinguisher in easy reach of wherever your fireplace is mounted. This is an essential part of fireplace safety that many homeowners forget about or overlook.
Inspect the Fireplace
Lastly, inspect the condition of your fireplace before you use it again. The easiest part of ensuring fireplace safety is keeping it clean. Neglecting a stove can lead to grease fires, and a neglected fireplace can present just as much of a fire hazard. Replace the liner on the bricks if you need to, and keep the damper open as long as something hot is in the fireplace.
Commercial and Residential Fire Prevention from Judd Fire Protection
If you want to ensure your home and business are safe throughout the year, trust Judd Fire Protection, LLC. We have over two decades of experience in designing, installing, inspecting, and repairing residential and commercial fire protection systems. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. If you are interested in finding out more about our services and protecting your home and business, give us a call at 410-871-3480 or contact us online. For more fire safety tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.