Fireplace Safety

I love the Autumn and Winter seasons. The best part is having a fire in my fireplace and each the warmth that it brings. However, each year over 25,000 chimney fires occur which results in the loss of 30 lives and over $126 million in damage. All can be prevented by properly maintaining your fireplace. Here are some tips to keep your fireplace burning safely this year:

1. Get your chimney cleaned by a professional chimney sweep
2. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
3. Install chimney tops or shrouds
4. Keep the hearth area clear
5. Make sure your fireplace screen is present
6. Use the right materials for fuel; firewood should be well-seasoned (cut 6 to 12 months earlier)

To learn more go to the Burn Wise site from the EPA