A fireplace can provide warmth on a cold winter evening, but if not maintained and operated properly it can become deadly. Keep your family safe by following these suggestions.
Fireplace safety tips:
•Have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned annually by a certified professional.
•Always use a fireplace screen.
•Clear the area around the fireplace and chimney of books, newspapers, magazines and other potentially flammable materials.
•Never leave a fire unattended.
•Install a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector in your home, maintain them properly and test them monthly.
•Use fireplace tools to tend the fire.
•Keep small children away from the fireplace.
•Keep a fire extinguisher available nearby.
•Never burn trash, cardboard boxes or debris in your fireplace.
•Never use flammable liquids to start a fireplace fire.
•Place logs at the rear of the fireplace.
•Never overload the fireplace.
•Stack firewood outside at least 30 feet from your home.
•Keep the top of the chimney free of debris and clear of tree limbs.
•Place fireplace ash outside your home in a non-combustible container and away from any structure to prevent embers from setting fire to nearby flammable materials in your house or garage.