A Fireplace Safety or wood-burning stove can be an inviting centerpiece for your home, warming not only toes during those cold winter nights, but hearts as well.
But while they may add charm and ambiance, don’t forget that their main purpose is to produce fire and heat, so safety is of the utmost importance. Follow these tips for using your wood stove or fireplace safely so your winters will be filled with nothing but comfort and warmth.
Inspect it.
Have a qualified chimney sweep or licensed gas technician perform an annual inspection of your fireplace. This simple task can prevent costly repairs and, most importantly, save your life.
Screen it.
Gas or wood, all fireplaces and stoves should be equipped with safety screens to prevent embers from jumping out onto rugs, furniture or other surfaces.
Air it out.
Before starting a fire, crack a window open about in inch to prevent the room from becoming smoky.
Handle with care.
To prevent serious burns and injury, never place your hands or fingers on burning logs.
Don’t burn it.
Avoid burning gift wrap, paper, or cardboard in the fireplace. The resulting smoke generates high levels of creosote, a highly flammable by-product of combustion that can build up in the chimney.
Put it out.
Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed. And never leave children alone near a live fire.
Keep it clean.
Clean the firebox once a week during in-use months, leaving a little bit of ashes for insulation and help retain heat. And make sure to keep it completely clean during the off-season.
Speaking of heat, how’s your hot water supply these days. If you’re not enjoying the kind of long, hot showers you’re used to, contact Norhio Plumbing today for expert troubleshooting and our best advice on how to give you and your family all the hot water you need, even during the busiest times of day.
