How to Prepare Your Fireplace for Winter
Winter is coming, and with it, a significant drop in temperatures across the United States and Canada. So, what better way to warm up than to gather around the fireplace with a blanket and warm beverage? Like many household appliances, a fireplace requires maintenance and safety considerations to operate properly. So, how do you get your fireplace ready for the winter season? We’ve compiled some tips below to help ensure your fireplace is operated safely this winter.
The Importance of Preparing Your Fireplace for Winter
According to research by the National Fire Protection Association, in 2022, approximately one fifth of home fire heating equipment accidents were due to fireplaces . Not only do these accidents cause property damage, but they tend to follow a distinct seasonal pattern, with more fires occurring during the winter months than any other time. This is important, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates there are approximately 17.5 million fireplaces in the United States .
Top Safety Tips for Fireplaces
The EPA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise following these safety tips for burning wood in your fireplace:
- Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby and handy.
- Make sure items such as furniture, curtains, books, newspapers, and other flammable belongings are kept away from the fireplace.
- If you choose to use artificial logs, use ones made from 100 percent compressed sawdust.
- Build hot fires, as a smoldering fire is not considered safe or efficient.
- Keep the glass door or fire screen in front of the fireplace closed unless you’re loading or stoking the fire. Otherwise, chemicals such as carbon monoxide may be released into your home.
- Routinely remove ashes from the fireplace into a metal container with a cover. Remove this container from the area and store it outdoors on a non-flammable surface.
- Make sure you have a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector installed near the fireplace.
- The CDC recommends testing them on a monthly basis and changing batteries at least twice a year.
Top Maintenance Tips for Fireplaces
Oakland Community College outlines the following maintenance tips when using your fireplace :
- Have your chimney cleaned and inspected before using the fireplace for the first time each year. An annual inspection by a licensed chimney specialist will help ensure soot and creosote that’s built up over the last year is removed. The chimney specialist can also look at the bricks to help ensure none are cracked, dislodged, or in need of replacement.
- Have the gas pilot light inspected regularly.
- Open the flue before use so the fire can vent adequately.
Fireplaces: Common Questions and Answers
- Is it safe to sleep with a fireplace on?
- According to Fireplace Concepts, you should not leave your fireplace burning or unattended while you sleep . This could prove a major safety hazard. Confirm the fire is extinguished before going to sleep.
- What can I put in front of my fireplace for safety?
- Chicagoland Insurance advises installing heat-proof glass doors in front of a fireplace to help ensure embers and flames don’t escape.
- Other recommendations include installing a fire screen in front of the fireplace, according to fire tips from Ready.gov .
- What shouldn’t I put in my fireplace?
- According to the EPA, don’t burn the following items in your fireplace:
- Household trash, such as cardboard, plastic, foam, boxes, wrappers, and/or ink from magazines.
- Painted, coated, and/or pressure-treated wood.
- Unseasoned (wet or green) wood.
- Diseased, rotted, wet, and/or moldy wood.
- Asbestos, manure, rubber.
- Animal remains.
- Particle board, plywood, ocean driftwood, and/or wood with glue on it.
- Along these lines, remember that sawdust and wax logs are typically only used for open hearth fireplaces. Check your fireplace’s operating instructions before using artificial logs.
- According to the EPA, don’t burn the following items in your fireplace:
- Is it safe to start a fire with gasoline, kerosene, or a charcoal starter?
- No. This can be very dangerous. You should only start a fire using organic methods, with newspaper, dry kindling, or organic fire starters.
- Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces. The fifth step involves using specific techniques and specialized equipment to remove smoke and soot from walls, ceilings, floors , and other surfaces.
- Cleaning and Sanitizing. This step involves potentially packing and relocating affected items, such as electronics, art, and other documents through restoration . If relocating is not required, salvageable items will be remediated.
For more information, please visit our FAQ and Glossary .
Sources:
https://blog.regional.com/home/home-safety-home/fireplace-safety-tips/
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/beforestorm/preparehome.html
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-02/documents/wood_smoke_awareness_kit.pdf
https://fireplaceconceptslex.com/blog/how-to-put-out-a-fire/
https://www.oaklandcc.edu/news/press-releases/fireplacesafetytips