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In the depths of the cold, dark, winter months, nothing compares to a cozy, crackling fire to warm your home and lift your spirits.   However, wood-burning fireplace safety is critical to your family’s well-being.  Operating a fireplace can be dangerous without taking the proper safety precautions. By following these recommended wood-burning fireplace safety tips, you can relax and safely enjoy the natural heat and beauty your wood-burning fireplace produces all winter long.

Regular Inspections

The first fireplace safety tip is to have your fireplace inspected annually.  If you have a new home and have never used the fireplace before, this is critically important.  Most chimney sweep companies will inspect and repair your chimney in addition to cleaning it. Chimney professionals are trained to recognize fireplace safety issues like cracks in the flue, loose bricks, leaks, or missing mortar, as well as check the chimney liner for signs of deterioration. A chimney inspector will check for and remove creosote buildup, the most common cause of fireplace fires. When wood is burned, a sticky and highly flammable chemical, creosote, builds up on the flue.  Not only does creosote increase the risk of fireplace fires, but it also presents a health risk, releasing chemicals that irritate the lungs and worsen respiratory conditions, especially when it’s humid.

Cleaning based on usage

Another vitally important wood-burning fireplace safety tip is having your fireplace cleaned regularly.  Chimneys should be swept by a certified chimney sweep once a year, although if you use it very frequently you might need to have it swept twice a year.  Have your chimney swept at the beginning of the heating season to clear out soot and debris.  Chimney experts recommend having your chimney swept, cleaned, and inspected at least once for every cord of wood burned in your wood-burning fireplace.  

Tracking any cracks or leaks

Wood-burning fireplace safety tips include preventative maintenance, like having your fireplace checked for cracks between the flue lining or chimney.  These cracks occur due to house settling, extreme weather conditions, and flooding.  Flooding can cause the wood supporting the chimney to shift or expand, causing cracks and ruining the firebox. Cracks allow embers to enter the structure, which can cause a fire.

A chimney expert will check for leaks around your fireplace.  Signs of a leaky fireplace include water in and around the structure.  Leaks are often caused by problems with flashing, the protective layer made of aluminum or steel, which is paired with tar to act as a sealant securing the base of the chimney to the roof.  A damaged or improperly fitting chimney cap can also cause leaks. Old chimney mortar and even damaged siding can cause leaks.  Leaks can lead to major structural damage over time, even leading to a chimney collapse, ventilation issues, and other expensive damage.  

Keeping the chimney wildlife-proof

Fireplace safety includes keeping animals away from your chimney.  A mesh-wire cap covering the top of the chimney will keep rain and small animals like birds and squirrels from entering.  The cap should be inspected from time to time for signs of deterioration and must be replaced if it’s corroded or damaged. 

Part of this fireplace safety tip includes checking the damper, a movable plate that sits above the fireplace before the flue- sort of like the door to the chimney.  The damper should be working properly, and free of debris that can prevent it from opening and closing.  Not only does the damper control airflow, it acts as a barrier to prevent heat from escaping and animals from entering.

If birds build a nest in the chimney or fireplace, it can block the flue, sending smoke and deadly carbon monoxide into the home.  The chimney inspector will make sure that there are no entry areas for animals to gain access to the chimney or fireplace.  

Using safe firewood

Wood-burning fireplace safety tips include using dry and seasoned firewood for safe fires.  After the wood is split, it should be stored in a high, dry place for a minimum of six months, with the top covered and sides open to allow for air circulation.  Ensure that the wood is not rotten, diseased, or moldy and that it has a moisture content of no more than 20%.  Using local wood helps to prevent the spread of invasive pests and tree diseases in your area.  Green (unseasoned) wood, like pine, is not recommended, as this oily wood produces a great deal of creosote, and tends to crack and pop, sending hot embers everywhere.  Dense hardwoods, like oak, are ideal as they burn long and hot.  Also remember to start your fire only with dry kindling, newspaper, or pine cones, avoiding flammable liquids.

Store ashes in a safe place

Our final wood-burning fireplace safety tip is to store ashes in a safe place.  Ashes remain hot for up to three days so be sure to let them cool.  Before you begin to stack wood for a fire, use a metal shovel to sweep the cold ashes into a fire-resistant dustpan and dispose of them.  During the heating season, you can keep a bit of ash, about a one-inch layer, which makes it easier to build and keep a fire going.  At the end of the season, clean out all the ashes and debris from your fireplace, since ashes have the potential to draw moisture that can cause the rusting of metal components and also harm masonry. 

Learn more from Rettinger Fireplace Systems

At Rettinger Fireplace Systems, we believe that every family should have a beautiful fireplace that keeps them warm- safely.  Since 1995 we’ve helped 20,000 customers with their fireplaces.  Call, click, or visit our showroom in Berlin, NJ and see what we can do for you.