Fireplace Safety Tips for You & Your Valentine
Nothing warms hearts more than a romantic evening in front of the fireplace. And nothing is more disturbing than a fireplace and chimney that cause problems and keep the romantic evening from happening.
National Chimney Cleaners of Fairfield County, CT, and Morris County, NJ, would like to share some fireplace safety tips for you and your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day.
What To Look For
The key to a safe and efficient fireplace and chimney is spotting problems before they get out of control. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends keeping an eye out for:
- Water or rust in the firebox
- Unusual stains on the exterior chimney
- Chunks of creosote or pieces of the clay tile chimney liner in the firebox
- Cracked or loose chimney bricks
- Crumbling chimney mortar
- Obvious damage to the chimney cap, chase cover, chimney crown and flashing
- A chimney that leans to one side
- Smoke going into the room instead of up the chimney
- Strong odors coming from the chimney
These signs may indicate water intrusion, structural damage, a flue blockage or simply wear and tear from years of use. If you notice any of them, have your chimney and fireplace inspected promptly.
Safe Fireplace Practices
Here are some safety tips for using your fireplace this Valentine’s Day.
Burn Dry Wood
Dry (seasoned) firewood burns more efficiently and produces less smoke than damp, unseasoned wood. Smoke turns into flammable creosote.
Burn Only Wood
Fireplaces are designed to burn wood and nothing else. Avoid burning cardboard, pressed board, packaging materials, plastics, metals and anything else that’s not actual cut firewood. Using these materials can produce excessive heat and smoke and possibly cause a chimney fire.
Avoid Injuries
A fireplace screen is a great way to keep sparks and popping embers from jumping out of the fireplace and onto people and furnishings. Even with a screen, it’s a good practice for everyone to keep at least three feet away from an active fireplace.
Check Your Smoke Detectors And CO Monitors
Make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors have fresh batteries and are working correctly.
Know What A Chimney Fire Looks And Sounds Like
Be aware of these common signs of a chimney fire:
- Tapping or clicking sounds
- A rumbling sound, like from a distant train
- Excess dense smoke coming from the fireplace or the top of the chimney
- In the event of a chimney fire or a suspected chimney fire, call 911 and evacuate the house. Don’t use the fireplace until the entire system has been inspected.
Important Chimney Maintenance Tips
1. For wood-burning fireplaces, schedule annual chimney sweeping to remove buildups of flammable creosote.
2. Arrange for a licensed chimney inspection once a year, no matter what kind of fireplace you have.
3. Arrange for repair and component-replacement work when it’s needed.
Have A Safe Valentine’s Day
Don’t let chimney and fireplace troubles ruin a romantic Valentine’s Day. And don’t let them cause problems for you any other day of the year.
National Chimney Cleaners provides expert chimney sweeping and licensed inspections of all types of chimneys and fireplaces. When there’s a
problem, we know how to fix it the right way.
Give us a call and speak with a Connecticut and New Jersey chimney professional, or reach out through our contact form.