Fireplaces - Tips To Staying Warm And Safe

While the weather outside may be cold and snowy, the need to keep warm on the inside becomes the number one priority and this is when many people look to their fireplace for help. Unfortunately, in many cases this need meets with death and injuries from its use.

It's not just fireplaces that are dangerous, but also many other supplemental heating sources such as portable space heaters and kerosene heaters.

Every year in the United States there are an average of 140 deaths and over 25,000 fires caused by wood burning fireplaces, chimneys and space heaters. Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires, with cooking fires being number one.

Fireplace can start home fires in many different ways. It can be from a cracked chimney, or one that is blocked off. Sparks and burning embers can create fires on the inside of the home as well as the roof.

To stay safe during the cold winter weather follow these fireplace tips:

• Always have your chimney inspected each year to be sure it's not blocked or coated with creosote. Also do a visual inspection to check for any possible cracks.
  
  
• Never empty hot ashes into the trash can. Put them in a fire resistant container and store it away fro anything that may burn.
  
  
• Don't use gasoline or lighter fluid to start a fire in your fireplace.
  
  
• Always make sure the fireplace damper is open before starting a fire. Not only does it allow the smoke to escape, but dangerous gases as well.
  
  
• Have a fireplace screen in place to avoid sparks and hot embers from popping out.

By using these fireplace tips, you'll not only stay warm during the freezing temperatures, but you'll also stay safe.