Fireplace Holiday Preparation

With the holidays, we want to feature our fireplaces with holiday decorations.  Here are a few tips to keep your safe this holiday season.

It is essential that you have your fireplace professionally cleaned by a chimney sweep at least once a year If it is wood-burning.

Once you’ve assured that you can operate your fireplace safely, there are other things you need to do to eliminate hazards:

  • Be sure your home has working smoke alarms on every level.
  • Get an alarm that alerts you if carbon dioxide poisoning becomes a threat.
  • Dispose of ashes with great care and assurance that an unexpected fire will not start due to hot ashes.
  • Only burn seasoned firewood, meaning wood that is low in moisture.

Some tips specifically for the holidays include:

  • Don’t place wrapped packages or gift boxes near the fireplace because they are highly combustible. Keep all combustible materials at least 3 feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces, candles, and portable heaters.
  • There are additives in wrapping paper which makes it burn at extremely high temperatures; don’t burn wrapping paper in your fireplace.
  • Do not discard garbage in your fireplace, including wrapping paper and boxes.
  • Keep an operable fire extinguisher nearby not only for possible fireplace mishaps but also in case your Christmas tree combusts.
  • Never dispose of a Christmas tree by burning it in your fireplace. The wood of the Christmas tree has not been properly dried or seasoned and is not safe to burn.