There’s nothing more relaxing than snuggling up next to a fireplace. But as cozy as they make your house feel, fireplaces can also be extremely dangerous if the right precautions aren’t taken.

Chimneys are one of the leading fireplace hazards due to their inherent danger of causing carbon monoxide (CO) gas. It’s important to properly take care of your chimney to prevent unwanted fire hazards. Follow these regular chimney maintenance tips to keep your home safe:

• Have your chimney regularly cleaned to reduce creosote buildup.
• Have a flue liner in place to reduce the possibility of masonry absorbing creosote.
• Replace damaged liners to allow heat to escape properly.
• Only allow contractors to use products that have been tested and listed by nationally recognized testing laboratories.

Other general fireplace safety tips include:

Keep it clear. Keep the fireplace clear of debris and flammable items.

Start fires safely. Never burn charcoal or use lighter fluids to light fires in your home.

Don’t overload the fire. Putting more wood, paper and other ignitable items than necessary into the fire can overheat the walls or roof of your home.

Keep children away from the fireplace. Educate children on the dangers of fire in addition to installing a gate around the fireplace to prevent kids from getting too close.

Put it out. Always be sure the fire is completely put out before leaving your home or leaving the room unsupervised.

Even with the proper safety precautions, fireplace accidents can still happen. Take extra precautions by installing new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. This way, if a fire or accident does happen, you will be able to detect it as quickly as possible.

For more information and tips on how to keep your home safe from fireplace hazards, contact Chalmers today: 1-800-360-3000.           

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