Keep your home accident-free this fall with these fire prevention tips

It’s not a fall night in without a warm blanket, a feel-good movie, and a roaring fire. 

But before you light the fireplace and get cozy on the couch, there are a few things to keep in mind. A poorly managed fire can quickly turn into a disaster, so arm yourself with these eight fireplace safety tips to protect your home and family this holiday season.

1. Get Your Chimney Professionally Cleaned & Inspected

If it’s been over a year since your last chimney cleaning and inspection, you’ll want to schedule that before the holiday season really kicks off. 

A professional chimney sweep will check for and clear up any damage, blockages, and creosote buildup, making sure your chimney is properly ventilated and ready to go.

The official recommendation is to have an annual checkup. So, if you haven’t already, set a yearly reminder on your phone or computer to schedule it at the start of the fall and get ahead of the game.

2. Avoid “Green” Wood

When stocking up on firewood, you want to steer clear of fresh-cut (or green) wood that hasn’t had a chance to dry. This is because green wood still carries moisture, which produces much more smoke and soot buildup.

Ideally, you want dried hardwood that burns longer and more evenly, like hickory, maple, oak, etc.. And if you’re cutting your firewood yourself, be sure to remove the bark and give it at least six months to fully dry. 

3. Invest in a Glass or Screen Door

If you can make it happen, a glass door is the best way to keep sparks, embers, and smoke from spilling into your home. But at the very least, you should have a screen set up.

These safety measures provide a layer of protection in case you need to leave the room briefly, and also help keep kids and pets from getting too close to the flames.

4. Don’t Forget the Damper

Your chimney damper is key to fireplace safety. The damper is a valve that allows air to flow freely and smoke to escape.

Whenever you use your fireplace, always open the damper before lighting a fire and leave it open until long after the embers have gone out. If you don’t, toxic fumes could fill your chimney and spill out into your home, endangering you and your loved ones.

5. Keep the Surrounding Area Clear

Everyone loves to decorate for the holidays, but try to keep the area around the fireplace clear. Take care to remove any decorations, curtains, or other flammable items from in front of the fireplace. Even with a screen in place, a stray spark or pop could ignite them and start a blaze in your home, so it’s best to play it safe.

6. Check & Keep Your Fireplace Safety Equipment Handy

A well-rounded fire safety plan is never complete without reliable smoke detectors and a working fire extinguisher. Test your detectors regularly, replace the batteries if needed, and ensure your fire extinguisher is charged and ready for action. 

If it’s due for an inspection, you can contact your local fire department to get a certified inspector to come out and take a look at it.

7. Handle & Remove Ashes Properly

You may not need to remove them every time you use your fireplace, but you’ll want to keep the ashes from building up higher than one inch. 

When it’s time to clean them out, make sure to handle them with care. Ashes can retain heat for hours after the fire has gone out, so use these fireplace safety tips to clean and dispose of them properly:

• Use a metal shovel to scoop them into a metal bucket or container.
• When you’ve finished cleaning, cover the container with a metal lid (if you have one) and store it outside, away from anything flammable.
• If you want to clean the inside of the fireplace, you can use a mixture of soap and water and scrub it with a sponge.
• Never scoop ashes into a garbage bag, plastic bin, cardboard box, or any other container that could ignite.

8. Never Leave a Fire Going Without Supervision

This may be the last item on our list, but it’s a cardinal rule of fireplace safety.

An unattended fire can grow out of control unnoticed, and may be impossible to get under control by the time you discover it.

If you have to leave or go to sleep, make sure the fire is completely out, including any stray embers. If you’re leaving the room for an extended period of time and there’s no one to keep watch, make sure any children come with you.

Want More Fire Safety Tips?

Check out our blog on Thanksgiving cooking safety to prevent kitchen fires this Turkey Day.

If you want the fastest way to get help in an emergency, use the buttons below to download the Rescu app. Get it today to protect your home and family with best-in-class response times this fall.