Safety First When It Comes to Wood Fireplaces

A lot of us love our fireplace. It is a place where we can all gather that is not the television, and it brings everyone together into its warmth, comfort, and ambiance. If you are someone who has one of these wood fireplaces or are thinking of having a home with one, there are a few things you should know to make sure that you have the best possible time that you can have with it.

We have all seen the burning of paper products being burned quite regularly in a fireplace. Those of us who know the facts and implications behind this probably wish that this was not being so normalized in our pop culture. If you are familiar with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, we see Uncle Vernon burning countless letters from Hogwarts in his fireplace. He should definitely take precautions because that can cause buildup in the chimney shaft that can cause fires.

If you are having one of these wonderful additions to your home installed, you should make sure that whoever is doing it is fully certified to be doing so. You do not want to just have some inexperienced person do a hack job that could endanger your loved ones and cost you a pretty penny. If you are a do it yourselfer, also make sure you get proper knowledge.

You must maintain this type of thing. One of the big things this includes is regular cleanings, especially if you make use of it a lot. If you do not want to be climbing around in the chimney or simply do not have that ability anymore, you can always call a professional chimney sweep.

It is very important that you treat your fireplace correctly, otherwise, you might be putting your own family, who are the ones that you love the most, at risk of perishing in a tragic accident. There are several dos and don't that every fireplace owner should know. If you are interested in learning more about what you should and should not burn and other things, you can research online.

It may seem like not a big deal to take care of this kind of thing, but there is a lot at stake here. Even though a fireplace may seem like a perfectly safe place to have a fire, this can be disastrous. This is only when the right precautions are ignored.

One of the big things that people forget about sometimes is how important it is not to have things lying around near the fireplace. If something falls over or gets blown too near, a fire can occur. You can make sure this does not happen by keeping your house clean and tidy around the fireplace.

If you have one of these things in your home, a smoke detector is a must. This should be a given in any home. If you have a fireplace though, it is just asking for trouble if you do not have one of these inexpensive and life-saving devices which can also test the air for carbon monoxide.

Keeping Wood Fireplaces Clean For Safety And Beauty

Until the last few decades, wood fireplaces were relatively common in homes throughout the U. S. They often were the only source of heat a household had because many homes did not have gas or electric furnaces. Back in those days, people knew how to take care of a hearth and chimney and what it took to keep these fixtures safe to use as needed.

Today, many people are not well-versed in their upkeep because they are somewhat of a novelty in new houses. You can keep your chimney and fireplace safe and beautiful by keeping a few simple tips in mind. These tips are inexpensive and also do not take a lot of your time.

The first recommendation centers on removing ashes once the fire has gone out for the night. You are reminded to let the ashes cool all of the way before you shovel them out of the pit. You can then place them in a bucket to prevent any lingering hot coals from burning through the container. You may recycle ashes by placing them in a compost pile in your garden.

Along with removing ashes, you also are encouraged to get rid of any forgotten vegetation that might have fallen into the pit. Leaves, twigs, and even stray bits of paper can ignite and spark the next time you try to start a fire. These small blazes can easily fly away and out onto the surrounding carpet in your home.

You likewise are reminded to clean out the chimney and flue so that you avoid dangers like carbon monoxide in your home. You might be able to clean out the flue by using a broomstick and a few old rags. However, if you cannot reach it from the inside, you are encouraged to call a professional chimney sweep to handle this task for you.

You likewise are cautioned to hire a professional chimney sweep to clean out the chimney from the rooftop. Along with possibly getting hurt while you climb up on the roof, you also might compromise the safety and integrity of this fixture if you try to clean it yourself. Professionals have the right tools for the job and can make sure your fireplace is ready to use safely in the near future.

The beauty aspect of the fixture comes with cleaning any windows and doors that are attached to the outside of it. Many hearths have glass doors attached as decoration. The doors also keep flying embers inside the pit and prevent coals from landing on your flooring. The glass on the doors can get dirty and full of soot, however. By wiping them down with an inexpensive cleaner, much as you would any mirror or window in your home, you help keep the fixture beautiful.

Fireplaces are luxurious additions to many modern homes today. You can use yours safely without the fear of sparking a blaze in your house by keeping yours clean. These tips come in handy for maintaining this alternative source of heat in the residence.