Winter is the time to sit beside a warm and cozy, crackling fire in the fireplace. But if you don't take some simple safety precautions, that fire could turn deadly. Fireplaces account fo rapproximately 15,000 house fires each year. An overloaded fire, damage to the fireplace and chimney such as missing bricks, blocked flues, nearby combustibles, and flying sparks cause fires to start beyond the fireplace. More than 5,500 people end up in emergency rooms with injuries from with fireplaces. Most of the injuries occur in children under five years old.
**Following these fireplace safety tips will help to keep your family safe and warm this winter.**
Have fireplaces and chimneys inspected annually, and cleaned as necessary, by a Certified Chimney Sweep. This reduces the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisonings due to creosote buildup or obstructions in the chimneys. A certified sweep can also perform maintenance on your wood stove.
If you are having a factory-made fireplace installed, it should not be located near any combustible materials. It should also have adequate flame and heat barriers.
Keep the top of chimneys clear. Install a chimney cap or flame arrester to keep debris and animals out of the chimney.
Open the damper before lighting the fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. This will avert the build-up of poisonous gases, such as carbon monoxide.
A screen around the fireplace will keep sparks from flying out and to protect against clothing ignition.
Fuel the fire safely. For burning firewood in wood stoves or fireplaces, choose well-seasoned wood that has been dried for a minimim of six months to a year and stored properly.
To start the fire, use a firelighter. Place firewood or firelogs at the rear of the fireplace and use grate.
Never use accelerants such as gasoline, charcoal lighter, other fuels to light or relight a fire because the vapors can explode.
Never keep flammable fuels near a fire. Vapors can travel accross a room and ignite or explode.
Never use coal or charcoal in a fireplace because because of the danger of carbon monoxide build-up.
Do not overload the fireplace. It can cause overheating of roof or wall materials.
Keep flammable materials such as carpets, pillows, furniture or papers away from the fireplace area.
Artificial logs are not real logs. Artificial logs are made of sawdust and wax. Read and follow the instructions for the logs carefully. Never add an artificial log to a natural wood fire that is already burning. Only use one log at a time and do not add another log until the fire is completely out. Never move or poke artificial logs because the flaming wax could stick to the poker and drop onto the floor.
During the holidays, make sure the Christmas tree is far enough away to keepit from being ignited by a spark or excessive heat. Be sure to keep watered so it won't dry out. Be careful of accidentally igniting holiday wrapping paper.
Warn children about the danger of fire. Do not let them play with fire or matches.
Make sure that the fire is completely out before going to bed for the night or when leaving the house.
