Fire Safety Tips for the Winter
As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, there's nothing quite like curling up by the fireplace with a warm drink and a good book. But with the cozy ambiance comes an added responsibility to ensure fire safety. Here are some tips to help you and your loved ones stay safe during the winter months
Fire Safety Tips for the Winter
Ensure that the chimney is clean and free of creosote build-up. Creosote is a highly flammable substance that can accumulate in chimneys, posing a fire hazard. To prevent a chimney fire, it's important to have your chimney inspected and cleaned regularly by a professional. If you're looking for someone to inspect your chimney, contact us HERE
Make sure the flue is open before stoking the first fire of the season—and every subsequent fire afterward. The flue is the duct that allows smoke and gases to escape from the fireplace. If it's not open, the gases can build up and pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Don't leave a fire unattended. It's important to stay in the room while the fireplace is in use and make sure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving
If your pet curls up close to the fireplace, make sure any bedding is kept well back from the flames. It's also a good idea to keep pets away from the fireplace altogether, as they may accidentally knock over logs or get too close to the flames.
Keep other flammable materials far from the fireplace as well. This includes things like curtains, furniture, and decorations. Maintaining a safe distance between these items and the fireplace is important to prevent accidental fires.
Teach children about fire safety from a young age. It's never too early to start educating kids about the dangers of fire and how to stay safe around it.
Make sure visiting children are made aware of fire safety rules. Some may never have been around a fireplace before, so it's important to explain the rules to them and make sure they understand the importance of staying safe. Keep roughhousing to a minimum in the room with a fireplace.
Teach children about fire safety from a young age. It's never too early to start educating kids about the dangers of fire and how to stay safe around it.
Make sure visiting children are made aware of fire safety rules. Some may never have been around a fireplace before, so it's important to explain the rules to them and make sure they understand the importance of staying safe.
Keep roughhousing to a minimum in the room with a fireplace. Accidental knocks or bumps could cause logs to roll out of the fireplace, potentially starting a fire.
Be particularly careful of escaping embers when adding wood to the fire. Embers can easily escape from the fireplace and start a fire if they land on flammable materials.
To keep the crackling and popping to a minimum—and thus, decrease the possibility of escaping embers—make sure the wood you use is properly dried. Freshly cut wood has a high moisture content, which can cause more popping and cracking when it's burned.
When unwrapping presents, be mindful to keep wrapping paper and gift bags away from the flames. These materials can easily catch fire and should be disposed of safely.
Before settling in for a long winter's nap, ensure the fire is completely extinguished. It's important to double-check that the fire is out and that the ashes are cool before going to bed or leaving the house.
Make sure you have working smoke detectors on each level of your home. Smoke detectors can alert you to a fire and give you the chance to evacuate safely
Hold periodic fire drills, so each family member knows how to exit your home safely in the event of a fire. It's important to practice fire safety drills regularly to ensure that everyone knows what to do in an emergency.
We at My Fireplace encourage you to follow these safety precautions and enjoy all the benefits a fireplace has to offer. Stop by either our London or St. Thomas showroom, or contact us by clicking HERE if you have any questions about winter fire safety tips!
