More than fifty percent of all American homes have a fireplace, and many of them have more than one fireplace. A fireplace is a great way to warm up a room and it certainly makes a house feel a lot more like a home. However, there are some very serious potential hazards that can result from the use of fireplaces. Even if you’re well versed in fire safety and have a few smoke detectors in your home, here are some other fireplace safety considerations you may not have thought of.
A big complication when it comes to fireplace maintenance is how difficult it is to see inside a fireplace. Even if you go up to the roof, it’s too dark to see everything inside. On top of that, the most serious problems that can occur in a fireplace often start with the smallest holes that can be hard to see if you’re not trained to look for them. That’s why most people hire chimney inspectors to come out with their tools to take a good look inside the chimney and identify any potential problems.
A chimney inspection is relatively inexpensive and certainly worth it when you consider how much home fire repairs could end up costing.
You should never use charcoal in a fireplace as it gives off very dangerous fumes. Likewise, don’t use lighter fluid to start a fire in your fireplace. Another dangerous habit that some people have is burning garbage in the fireplace. This should never be done because the chemicals in these items can be very dangerous when burned. In particular, never put anything plastic in your fireplace.
Many people with fireplaces are advised to put smoke detectors throughout their home. However, it is not enough to have them. You also need to make sure the batteries haven’t died, so be sure to check the detectors from time to time. Fireplace owners should also have carbon monoxide detectors because carbon monoxide poisoning is a very real danger any time you light a fire in your home if there is a ventilation problem.
You should always make an effort to stay on top of chimney sweeps. This is because creosote can build up on the walls of the chimney liner after repeated fires. This can create gases that are dangerous to breathe and even catch fire. Never try to use a fireplace or chimney that needs cleaning. The risks are simply not worth it. How often it should be done depends on the type of fireplace you have, the type of wood you burn, and how often you make a fire, so only a professional can tell you how often you need it in your particular case.
