It is very cozy, relaxing, and romantic to use your fireplace in the winter. They are beautiful, and soothing, and give you the warmth you need. However, they can be dangerous as well. It is imperative that you are aware of fireplace safety when you are arranging fireplaces and they should not cause problems when you are lighting a fire. You might hear about terrible incidents because of negligence and accidents.
Make sure that you do not lack awareness, and contact chimney contractors if you have to. Fire is very destructive and lives can be lost as well if it happens during the night when you are all sleeping.
In the winter, it is important to make sure you can safely use your fireplace.
Prevention of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Improperly caring for and maintaining your fireplace and chimney will produce carbon monoxide, which is a tasteless and odorless gas that creeps inside your home. This toxic gas is a known “silent killer.” Make sure to install carbon monoxide detectors on all floors in your home. They can be placed outside bedrooms, in your kitchen, and in hallways. This is helpful when it comes to keeping your family safe, and you might even get a discount on your home’s insurance policy. You should also regularly test your CO detectors, and the batteries have to be changed once yearly.
Burn the Fireplace Safely
You should never use flammable liquids when starting your fireplace. It would be best to use newspapers and starter logs. Make sure that you have a secure and strong grate where to place logs. It is important to have a fireplace cover for winter because the hot air drafts cold air into the chimney mouth which can prompt ash to be pushed up until it escapes.
A chimney warrants that you must learn how to prepare your fireplace for burning wood. You must note that other woods are not for burning. You should take note that not all wood is perfect for burning. Make sure to only use kiln-dried or seasoned hardwood.
Clear Any Clutter Around Your Fireplace
When you are not using your fireplace for a long time within seasons, clutter can fill up surrounding areas unless you have the diligence to always tidy everything up. When winter returns, you would have to clear any clutter so you can stop fire hazards and enjoy flames. Make sure to remove any objects in front of your fireplace before lighting it up, especially anything that could be flammable. Your furniture or rugs should be at a safe distance from your fireplace.
Replace a Chimney Cap if it is Missing or Broken
When you help a neighbor or friend, you must inspect the chimney cap. If you see that it is broken, missing, or damaged, tell them to have it replaced immediately. The chimney cap is like a rain hat that can help prevent debris and small animals from clogging the chimney. It keeps water away from your chimney which helps in preserving the brick and mortar.
Do Not Let Heat Escape
Even when you close the fireplace damper, the sealing is normally ineffective. When you add a fireplace cover in the winter, such as fireplace shield or glass doors, you can keep cold air from entering your home, and warm air from exiting the chimney.
When you close the damper too soon, the fire can still produce combustion gases containing carbon monoxide. You should never close the damper if there is still fire. Let the ashes cool before removal so the embers get air exposure.
You can call chimney inspection Upper Marlboro before winter to make sure everything is working fine.
