Fireplace Safety

10/24/2018 (Permalink)

Home fire safety is essential, and even more so if you own a fireplace. Who doesn’t love curling up in front of a warm fire during fall and winter seasons? It’s important to know that any type of fireplace, whether wood-burning, gas, or electric, poses a potential danger to your home and loved ones. Use these fireplace safety tips to keep your family safe.

Fire Prevention Tips for Homes with a Fireplace

• Crack open a window while the fire is burning.
• Be sure the damper or flue is open before lighting or starting a fire, and until embers have completely stopped burning, to draw smoke out of the house.
• Check the damper by looking up into the chimney with a flashlight or mirror.
• Use smaller pieces of dry and well-aged wood for home fire safety, avoiding wet or green wood, which cause more smoke and soot buildup in the chimney.
• Have a professional check the chimney annually.
• When cleaning a fireplace, remove ashes from previous fires, keeping levels of the to 1 inch or less for less smoke
• Check for animal nests or other blockages that could prevent smoke from escaping.
• Make sure the area around the fireplace is clear of anything that is potentially flammable.
• Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended and be sure it’s completely out before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Home fireplace safety should include keeping a fire extinguisher on hand.

Fire damage can be especially devastating, but you can avoid it with these fire prevention tips. SERVPRO of Aberdeen / Holmdel can help you with home fire safety and be there for you in a crisis with has the specialized fire and water damage equipment and expertise. Contact us to learn more.