| Below are two lists: a Fireplace Safety list and a
Fireplace Dangers list. Make sure you practice
fireplace safety when your fireplace is in use.
Do not ever
start a fire in a fireplace without the participation
and supervision of an adult or parent.
Fireplace Safety
- Use natural logs. However, if
you use the artificial logs, be sure to follow
the directions on the package.
- Check your fireplace and
chimney often and keep them clean and in good
repair.
- Always make sure that a good
fire screen is in front of the fireplace.
- Keep the damper (have your
parents show you where it is and how it works)
set so the draft (flow of air) will remove all
smoke and gases when the fireplace is on.
Remember, too much air flow might let the fire
get out of control.
- Keep the area near the
fireplace clear of materials like papers,
books, toys, etc. Everyone should know about
the possibility of flying sparks from the fire
and what to do about them.
- Make sure that the fire is
completely out before going to bed or if you
plan to leave the house.
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Fireplace Dangers
- Do not stack artificial logs
in the fireplace like you would real wood.
- Do not use your fireplace if
it has loose bricks or needs to be cleaned.
- Do not burn charcoal, coal,
or plastic materials (wrap, cups, plates,
etc.).
- Do not burn garbage in the
fireplace.
- Do not ever use gasoline or
other such liquid to start or help a fire to
start.
- Do not allow small children
near the fireplace.
- Do not leave a fire
unattended.
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- Have
your fireplace inspected and cleaned annually
by a National Chimney Sweep Guild Certified
chimney sweep. A dirty fireplace can cause
chimney fires or contribute to air pollution.
Your local NCSG-certified chimney sweep will
diagnose your fireplace and recommend what it
needs in order to burn cleanly and safely.
- Choose
the right fuel. In general,
hardwood firewood (oak, madrone, hickory, ash,
etc.) burns cleaner than softwood firewood
(fir, pine, cedar, etc.). Independent tests
(conducted by Shelton Research Labs, Santa Fe,
NM) have proven that manufactured
firelogs burn much cleaner than firewood.
- Use
seasoned wood, wood with a moisture
content of less than 20 percent, burns much
cleaner than green (high moisture content)
wood. Check with your cordwood supplier to
make sure that the wood you purchase is
seasoned.
- Burn
smartly. Good fireplace habits can
decrease fuel consumption in the home while
maintaining the same level of warmth. Make
sure the fire gets enough air to burn
properly. Close the damper when the fire is
out to keep warm room air inside.
- Minimize
creosote buildup which causes
chimney fires. Creosote is the black tarry or
flaky substance formed in chimneys during the
wood burning process. While firewood leaves
flammable creosote and carbon deposits on
chimney wells, tests show firelogs leave
significantly less creosote accumulation than
wood.
- Make
a fire that fits your fireplace. A
fire that's too large or too hot not only
wastes fuel, it can crack your chimney.
- Keep
your fireplace in good working condition.
If you notice any cracks in the chimney, and
any loose mortar or brick, have your chimney
repaired. Have the chimney liner inspected for
cracking or deterioration.
- Read
and follow the label when using firelogs.
Use one firelog at a time, starting it with a
fireplace at room temperature. Don't poke or
break manufactured logs. This will cause them
to crack apart, releasing their energy at a
high rate and resulting in a shorter burn
time. Firelogs perform best when burned on a
supporting fireplace grate with a maximum of
three to four inches of space between support
bars.
- If
your fireplace is equipped with glass doors,
leave them open while burning a firelog to
allow proper draught and cleaner burning. Once
you're sure the fire is extinguished, close
the damper and glass doors to retain warm air
inside the house.
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Always
keep a fire extinguisher close at hand. Make sure
that everyone knows how to use it. Keep emergency
phone numbers on or next to the telephone. |
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