Tips to Safely Use Your Fireplace

11/23/2023 (Permalink)

As we're sure you're aware, a roaring fireplace can create a warm and cozy atmosphere in any home, but it's crucial to use it safely to prevent accidents and ensure your well-being. Whether you're an experienced fireplace enthusiast or a first-time user, these tips will help you enjoy the comforting ambiance of your cozy home while minimizing risks.

From proper maintenance to safe practices, read on to discover essential guidelines for safely using a fireplace.

Proper Maintenance

Proper fireplace maintenance is paramount in preventing fire damage and ensuring the safety of your home. Regularly inspect and clean your fireplace and chimney to remove accumulated creosote, a highly flammable substance, which can ignite and cause a dangerous chimney fire.

Additionally, schedule an annual professional chimney inspection to identify potential issues like cracks or blockages that could pose a fire hazard. Keep the hearth area clear of combustibles such as paper, decorations, or furniture, and always use a sturdy fireplace screen to contain sparks and embers.

Finally, invest in a high-quality, well-fitted chimney cap to keep out debris and animals, reducing the risk of blockages and potential fire damage. By staying diligent with maintenance, you can enjoy your fireplace safely without the fear of fire-related accidents.

Safe Practices

Safe practices for fireplace use are essential to ensure a cozy and secure environment in your home. First and foremost, never leave a fire unattended, and always keep a watchful eye on it, especially if there are children and pets around.

Use seasoned hardwoods like oak or maple, as they burn cleanly and produce less creosote buildup. Avoid burning treated wood, cardboard, or paper, as they can release harmful chemicals or create excessive sparks.

Keep the damper open while the fire is burning to allow proper ventilation, and close it only when the fireplace is not in use to prevent drafts. Never overload the fireplace with too much wood, and use a fireplace screen to contain the sparks.

Lastly, have a fire extinguisher and a working smoke and carbon monoxide detector nearby, and be prepared to use them in case of emergencies. These safe practices will help you enjoy the warmth and ambiance of your fireplace without compromising safety.

Fire Damage Restoration

If you happen to be dealing with fire damage, we're extremely sorry to hear that. A house fire is one of the most devastating disasters that can occur. With that said, it's important that you seek help for your fire damage ASAP by calling a fire damage restoration company.

SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel is full of experienced fire damage specialists that can help get your home back to the way it was.

SERVPRO's Fire Damage Restoration Process

After the fire trucks leave, your home likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage due to firefighting efforts. SERVPRO has the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.

When it comes to the fire damage restoration process, the steps listed below illustrate our process for the "typical" fire damage emergency:

• Step 1: Emergency Contact - The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources.
• Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment - We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.
• Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service - Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.
• Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present) - The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.
• Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces - We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.
• Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing - We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We're also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.
• Step 7: Restoration - Restoration is the final step - getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Fire Damage Tips

Following any instance of fire damage, prioritizing safety as your top concern:

1. Ensure the house is safe for occupancy.
2. Be mindful of electrical and "slip and fall" risks, which are common hazards.
3. Only engage in activities that you can safely carry out.
4. Exercise caution when handling wet materials, as they can be exceptionally heavy.

What To Do After a Fire:

To minimize the spread of soot and maintain the cleanliness of your home during fire damage restoration...

1. Restrict movement within the house to prevent soot particles from embedding into upholstery and carpets.
2. Keep your hands clean to avoid additional soiling of upholstery, walls, and woodwork.
3. Place clean towels or old linens on high-traffic areas of rugs, upholstery, and carpets.
4. If the electricity is off, empty the freezer and refrigerator, and prop the doors open
5. Safeguard chrome surfaces by applying a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
6. Thoroughly wash both sides of houseplant leaves.
7. Don't forget to replace the HVAC filter.

What Not To Do After a Fire:

1. Don't try to wash walls, painted surfaces, or shampoo carpet or upholstery.
2. Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been exposed to fire, heat, or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
3. Avoid using any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat, or water.
4. Do not switch on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, as the wiring may be compromised.
5. Do not send clothing items to an ordinary dry cleaner, as improper cleaning methods could set the smoke odor.

How Can We Help?

Not only can we completely restore your home back to preloss conditions, but we can also perform smoke removal, debris removal, soot removal, get rid of smoke odors, and ensure a complete fire damage cleanup has been done.

If your home is also dealing with water damage due to the firefighting efforts, we can also help with water damage restoration, as we are skilled in all of the restoration topics and needs.

We will ensure that everything is taken care of with your insurance company, and walk you through our entire process so you know what is going on and when.

Our team prides themselves on their exceptional work, attention to detail, and the passion to want to help our community when they are at their most vulnerable.

So, if you need fire damage restoration, water damage restoration, storm damage restoration, or anything else - we're the restoration company that you need.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey

SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”