Once the chilly winter sets in here in Barrie there are few things more enjoyable than warming up by the fireplace. Many households have a wood burning fireplace for warmth, entertainment and enjoyment. That being said they aren’t a maintenance free part of your home. We want you to enjoy your fireplace safely this winter so we’ve gathered some fireplace safety tips for you:
Sweep the Chimney. Have chimneys professionally serviced and cleaned at least once a year, maybe more frequently if your woodstove sees heavy use, you want to make sure that tar and creosote don’t build up in the chimney. Gas fireplaces should also be serviced every year by a certified technician as a preventative measure.
Inspect the fireplace. Check your vents and pipes for rust, excessive soot or other potential hazards before using it.
Install & Maintain smoke & carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are properly installed and in good working order. Doing so will prevent your cozy fire from becoming a life threatening hazard. A working fire extinguisher should also be easily accessible nearby.
Use the proper materials. Use only small amounts of dry, seasoned wood and never use starter fluids or other fuels. Don’t over-load the fireplace, it can cause the flames to become out of control and can increase the build up of tar and creosote in the chimney and stove pipes.
Light the fire safely. Before starting your fire you’ll need to open the damper for air flow. Keep it open until the fire is completely out and the ashes are cool enough to touch.
Clean out the fireplace. Wait until ashes are completely cool before cleaning them out of the fireplace and empty them into a metal bucket. Ashes can take up to 3 days to completely cool so make sure you never use plastic or cardboard containers. Store the bucket outside of your house.
These fireplace safety tips should have you well on your way to safely cozying up by the fireplace this holiday season! Please pass this article on to any friends or family who may find it useful and as always feel free to contact our team with any questions you may have about buying or selling Barrie real estate.
Sincerely,
The Peggy Hill Team
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