Fireplace Dos and Don’ts for a Safe Thanksgiving

What a wonderful time of the year. It’s a time to gather with family and friends. A time to get your fireplace ready for those joyful nights in front of the glow of the fire. But not so fast. There are Do’s and Don’ts before you get started. Let’s dive into some of these so you and your family will be safe this holiday season.

Safety First

Visual inspection

Now is the time to take a look around. Look for cracked bricks on the outside of your chimney. Flaking mortar can be an issue as the cold weather and winter is upon us. Get a good look at the chimney cap. Is there any visual damage? Are there trees or brush that hangs over the chimney that can be taken down? Now is the time to address this. Look inside your fireplace. Is the damper working properly? It should seal off the air and drafts from coming down the chimney and into your home. When you open the damper, check to see if there is evidence of nests or twigs. These can cause a fire if not cleared out.

Annual chimney sweep

You haven’t used your fireplace all summer. Who knows what has gotten into it? Small animals and birds enjoy an empty chimney as a wonderful place to nest. Unclogging your chimney should be step number one in starting a safe fire.

Have your fireplace and chimney inspected

The inside of your chimney is not the only part of your chimney that needs to be looked at. During the hot summers with wind and rain slashing at your chimney, you may find that the bricks have been damaged. Regular maintenance of your chimney will bring you years of successful burning.

Some safety questions that you may have:

• • Can I go to bed with the fire still smoldering? No. Spread the coals out so they don’t have wood to continue the burning process. Use your fireplace tools. Don’t use water. Water won’t completely penetrate the logs. Be sure the fire is completely out before heading off to bed.
  • Use a glass door while watching and enjoying the fire. A glass door that covers the opening of your firebox will prevent sparks from coming out and catching area rugs or furniture on fire.

What type of wood should I purchase?

The best wood for burning in your home fireplace is hardwood. Hardwood may consist of walnut, maple, ash, oak, and beech. Softwood may dry quicker but hardwood generates a hotter fire. Be sure to season your wood for at least 6 months if it is freshly cut.

Connect with the Fireplace Experts

Look no further than Chimney Solutions Indiana! Since our very first customer, we’ve been committed to delivering the highest level of customer care and the most professional and reliable chimney and fireplace services.