Try out these tips to use your wood fireplace safely and efficiently.
When it gets cold outside, there’s nothing better than cuddling up before a roaring fire. However, before you can sit back and enjoy the warm flames, make sure you know how to use your wood fireplace safely and efficiently. Here are some tips that might help.
1) Inspections
Have your chimney and fireplace inspected annually ensuring everything is in good working order. This is something you have completed prior to your first fire.
2) Use Dry, Cured Wood
Dry cured wood are logs that have been split, stacked, and dried between eight to twelve months. When you prepare your logs to dry properly, make sure you cover then with a tarp that leaves the sides of your stack open for air flow. Burning wood that has been properly prepared will ensure that your fire burns longer and produces less smoke.
3) Only Burn Firewood
When you light up your fire, make sure that you only burn firewood. Burning other materials such as paper, cloth, or treated wood can release harmful chemicals and can even cause your fire to burn out of control. Using a log starter is okay to get your fireplace going, but they burn very hot so you should only use one at a time.
4) Open and Close Your Damper Accordingly
if you are planning to light a fire, then it’s important that you open your chimney’s damper before you start. Opening up your damper will allow smoke to escape and will provide adequate airflow to keep your fire burning. However, you should make sure to close your damper when your fireplace is not in use. This will prevent warm indoor air from escaping through the chimney.
5) Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
When you use your fireplace, you are increasing your risk of house fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. While using your fireplace safely and responsibly can reduce these risks, you cannot eradicate them completely. That’s why it’s important to have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home as an emergency measure. These detectors will alert you if a fire breaks out or if your fire is releasing dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Installing these detectors is one of the best ways to protect your home and loved ones if you’re planning to use your wood fireplace this year.
Keep these tips in mind to use your fireplace safely and efficiently this winter. Want another way to stay safe this winter? Then make sure you have the proper insurance protections in place. To find the best policies to fit your needs,
contact the experts at Reata Insurance Group. We are ready to get you covered today.
