Fireplace Safety Tips
Having a fireplace in your home is a great way to stay warm during the chilly winter months. However, it can also be a serious safety hazard if you do not properly maintain it. Keep these fireplace safety tips in mind to ensure that you stay cozy and safe this season.
- Properly maintain your chimney, fireplace, and the surrounding area – hire a professional to take a look at your chimney to ensure that there are no safety issues and to clean out the chimney. Built up soot in your chimney can easily cause a fire. Keep any flammable items away from your fireplace, such as furniture or curtains. Just one spark can be enough to start a fire in your home.
- Invest in safety equipment – your home should have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors installed throughout it to keep your family safe. You should also keep a fire extinguisher near your fireplace in case your fire gets out of hand.
- Build a safe fire – the grate should be at the very back of your fireplace. When you are stacking wood in the fireplace, make sure that it is not stacked too high. Smaller fires are much easier to control and create less smoke, making them safer overall.
- Put it out – before you leave your house or go to bed, make sure the fire is completely out. Let the fire die down slowly on its own whenever possible. Spreading out the logs will help the fire to die down much faster. Putting out a fire with a cup of water can create large amounts of smoke in your home.
For all of yourÂ
homeownerâ's insurance coverage needs and to ensure that your home is protected in case of a fire,Â
contact the insurance professionals at Cook, Disharoon & Greathouse in Oakland, California.
