3 Important Chimney Safety Tips You Should Keep in Mind

Imagine this: you’re trying to stay warm by hanging in front of the crackling fire with a cup of your favorite drink, hand-knitted blanket wrapped around you. All of a sudden, fire broke! Way to ruin the moment, right? Prioritize safety and have peace of mind by following these tips:

Avoid creosote buildup
Creosote is a chemical mass of carbon formed when wood, tar or fossil fuels are burned. Creosote can linger in chimneys and you would have no idea from the outside. When creosote is not removed, can become a thick coating of debris in the flue and chimney. Most chimney fires start in the smoke chamber/smoke shelf area so it’s important to clean those areas. Creosote ignites at 451 degrees Fahrenheit and once it starts burning, it expands like foam sealant and can build to more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit in less than a minute. Source: FamilyHandyman

Don’t remove ashes right away
Fireplace coals can remain hot enough to start a fire for up to three days, so always wait at least that long before removing the ashes. At that point, close the damper to prevent cold air in the flue from stirring up excess dust while you’re removing the ashes. Be sure to wear a dust mask and open a window in the same room as the fireplace to prevent negative air pressure. Use a shovel to scoop the ashes into a metal container. Store the container far from combustible materials and surfaces and wood floors. Source: HGTV

Install a safety screen
Keep a fireplace screen in front of the fireplace when in use. A fireplace screen should be at least 3 feet (0.91 m) high, and most common models are be made of fine, crossed wire on a flexible, three-part frame. This screen will catch any live sparks that leap out of the fire, and will also prevent larger logs from falling out.[6]

A screen is a necessity if you have small children or animals in the house, as they could easily run or stumble into an open fire. If there are more durable models of fireplace grate available at your local hardware store, it may be wise to purchase a heavy grate in addition to (or instead of) a lighter screen. Source: WikiHow

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