These tips can help you stay warm and safe this season.
One of the best ways to take advantage of the cold weather is to curl up in front of your fireplace. Unfortunately, all types of fireplaces pose serious danger. To help your family safely enjoy your fireplace throughout the cold season, keep these fireplace safety tips in mind.
- Double check to ensure the flue or damper is open before you light a fire. Keeping the flue or damper open will make sure the smoke is drawn out of your house. To check if it is open, simply look up the fireplace with a flashlight to see if you can see any light.
- Only use well-aged, dry wood. Green or wet wood will cause much more smoke and will cause more soot to build up in your chimney. Dry wood will burn much more evenly and will produce less smoke.
- Clean out all the ashes from previous fires before you light a new fire. A thick layer of ash will restrict the air flow to burning logs, leading to more smoke.
- Use smaller pieces of wood and always place the wood on the grate in the back of your fireplace. Smaller fires are much easier to keep under control and produce less smoke.
- Never leave a fire burning unattended. Before you leave the house or go to bed at the end of the night, make sure the fire is completely extinguished.
- Regularly check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. If any of your alarms are broken or not working properly, replace them before you light your next fire.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and make sure that multiple people in your household know how to use it.
Having the right homeowners insurance policy will help to ensure you have the coverage you need in case your fire gets out of hand. Contact the insurance professionals at Scautub Agency in Scotia, New York for all of your home insurance needs.