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Safety First With Your Fireplace
10/3/2017 (Permalink)
SAFETY COMES FIRST WITH YOUR FIREPLACE
Follow these fireplace safety tips to prevent home fire damage.
Fall has officially started, and before you know it, you will have to light up the fireplace to combat the cold, windy temperatures of the outdoors. But before your whole family sits in front of the fire, it is crucial you make sure it is safe and secure. With the luxury and warmth your fireplace brings, also comes the danger of fire and smoke damage to your home. There are a few steps you can follow to ensure your wood or gas burning fireplace is safe to use.
Start With The Cap
To start your safety inspection of your fireplace, you have to go outside of your home to your chimney. Make sure the cap that is on top of your chimney is in good condition, and there is nothing around it such as a bird’s nest or debris. The cap is an essential piece to your chimney because it prevents rain, snow, or wildlife from getting into your home. It also keeps hot embers emitting from your fireplace from getting onto your roofing. Your cap needs to be clear so smoke can escape properly from your home.
Check The Damper
After checking the chimney from the outside, go inside your home and inspect your the bottom of your chimney connected to your fireplace. With a flashlight, check if the damper in your chimney opens, closes, and seals properly. It is critical that your damper seals well because if not, you will a lose a great amount of heat from your home when your fireplace isn’t in use. While your damper is open, check the flue for any combustible objects such as animal nests. The flue needs to be completely clear, so smoke doesn’t come back into your home and cause unnecessary damage.
Don’t Ignore Your Gas-Burning Fireplace
Although gas fireplaces are low-maintenance, you still need to check some elements occasionally. Inspect the glass doors for any cracks or latch issues and test the igniter for any malfunctions.