Texas may not be the coldest place in the country, but we still get some cold days out of our winters. And what is better to do on a cold afternoon than to curl up with a cup of cocoa and a blanket next to a warm fire?
While you are enjoying a toasty fire, it is still important to be aware of the dangers of a home fireplace and how to best keep you and your home safe. Here are some important safety points to consider.
- Keep the safety screen in front of the fire when not stoking it or adding wood. Safety screens are required on all fireplaces manufactured after Jan. 1, 2015. The screens are usually one-size-fits-all, so they are easy to purchase if your fireplace lacks one.
- Cleanliness is also extremely important to maintaining safety. Regularly dispose of ashes and make sure the flue is working properly so that smoke, smoldering pieces of wood, and flames will follow their designated paths. Using dry and well-aged wood rather than wet or green wood will help decrease smoke and the buildup of soot in the chimney.
- Give your fireplace clearance by keeping children, pets, and flammables at a safe distance. Brief children about basic fire safety and make sure someone is watching children around a fire at all times. Also, keep plants several feet away from a fire. I may have once melted a poinsettia plant by accidentally leaving it too close to a fire.
- Maintain the upkeep of safety tools like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and a fire extinguisher. Test them regularly and replace batteries at least once per year.
- Never leave a fire unattended. Anything could happen, especially the unexpected. To best avoid disaster, keep a watchful eye on your fire.
So, keep safe and warm this Christmas season and enjoy your fireplace!
