While the fireplace functions as a great place to relax with your family and friends, it poses a great danger to you and even your property if you don’t use it correctly. To help you out, here are chimney safety tips as given by chimney repair contractors:

Undertake regular inspections

Just like your car and other machines you might be having, you need to regularly inspect your chimney for any defects that might put you, your family, or even your property at risk. You can inspect by yourself if you have the skills or hire a chimney contractor to help you out.

When inspecting the fireplace, you should examine both the inside and outside the unit. If there are any damaged areas, repair them. You also should consider installing additional features that make the chimney better.

For example, you can install a protective chimney cap that will keep the unit free of leaves, nests, tree branches, bird nests, and other debris.

Undertake regular chimney cleaning

There is no way that your chimney will be safe if it’s dirty. You see, when the wood burns, creosote tends to stick to the sides of the chimney. When you don’t clean the chimney regularly, the creosote levels rise to the extent that they put your home at the risk of fire.

At least once a year, you should clean the chimney. Again, if you have the skills, you should clean the unit by yourself, but if you have never done it before, let an experienced chimney cleaning professional to help you.

Burn the right wood

If you are like most Americans, you use wood in your chimney. The type of wood that you use not only affects the efficiency of the unit, it also affects its safety. You should use hardwood that has been air dried for at least six months.

Keep furniture away from the chimney

It’s common for the fireplace to produce fire sparks. If your furniture is close to the chimney, the sparks can land on them, setting them on fire. For you to be safe, you should keep all the furniture away from the fireplace.

If you are living in a small room, consider installing a fire screen. This is a unit that prevents the sparks from reaching the furniture.

Conclusion

These are some of the chimney safety tips that you should put into consideration as a homeowner. For you to have an easy time maintaining your unit, work with a reputable chimney company.