General Home Safety

Many homeowners choose to install coal- or wood-burning stoves for warmth or aesthetics. Unfortunately, many of these homeowners, have not learned proper stove safety procedures before...

Gas fireplaces have become quite popular in recent years and they often replace existing wood fireplaces as an inexpensive and cleaner alternative. While operating the system is fairly simple,...

Chimney caps come in an enormous assortment of colors, types of metal, sizes, shapes and colors. Each one has specific installation methods to ensure a good fit and durability.

Carbon Monoxide is a very dangerous gas that is colorless and odorless which makes it difficult to detect under normal circumstances. This gas can silently sneak up on you and kill you without...

Assuming you have a wood burning fireplace, because any idiot can light a gas one, you will learn there are a couple preliminary steps to getting a fire started

Using your clay outdoor fireplace takes just a little care with correct positioning, proper wood use and maintenance. It is important to keep children and pets out of the reach of your fireplace...

Creosote is formed when wood smoke condenses and attaches itself to the lining of a chimney before it exits the top of the pipe. A wood-burning stove with a chimney full of creosote is at risk of...

Under normal use, creosote residue builds up on the chimney walls. Creosote is a black or brown residue that forms while burning wood. If this residue is not removed regularly and is allowed to...

Squirrels in your attic could be endangering your house. Once they take up residence, they'll shred your insulation, leave feces and urine that can stain and ruin floors and ceilings, chew on the...

As the weather outside turns blustery, fireplaces are lit both for comfort and relaxation. Unfortunately, several home owners will not have taken the time to have their chimney's cleaned and/or...

My son Rick and his wife and two girls, just moved into an older home in northern Wisconsin where it really gets cold. And here comes the cold weather that will stay until springtime. However, his...

Bed bugs are bloodsucking insects that prey on mammals and birds. Different types of bed bugs in the scientific family Cimicidae prey specifically on different hosts.

Woodburning stoves are a popular home appliance, both for heat and for decoration. They are comfortable ways of heating a room in winter and make an attractive focal point for a room. However,...

Many people burn wood in their fireplaces at home, and some people choose to burn pine. When deciding whether or not you want to burn pine, you should consider safety issues as well as the time...

This is the proper way to light a fire in a fireplace.

How many times have you wanted to light a nice fire in your fireplace but when you do it quickly turns to disaster. You light the fire and smoke starts go come into the room and you are opening...

Every fall and winter, we hide in our homes when the wind picks up and the rain falls down. To keep you and your home safe from the nasty weather, there are a few basic steps you should perform to...

Chimney cleaning logs are used by many homeowners to clean away the buildup of creosote in their chimneys from frequent fireplace fires. Some homeowners may rely on these logs to cut the cost of...

Many people enjoy the warmth, cozy feelings and even romance of having a fireplace. It's important to respect the hazards associated with fireplaces, however, and practice proper safety....

Winter weather is cold and wet, but that doesn't mean it's fireproof. In fact, you might be in more danger of a fire than you are during a hot, dry summer. Wintertime fire prevention is a matter...

The hurricane lamp is a simple fixture that uses a glass chimney or shield to prevent its flame from blowing out. When candles were needed for interior lighting, a glass chimney was used to...

Gas fireplaces are so easy to use that they seem to be maintenance-free. The truth is that they are--if a simple program is followed and some basic care is taken to keep them functioning properly....

Chimney fires can cause major damage to your chimney and in severe cases can ignite nearby combustible items and result in a house fire. Chimney fires are very avoidable with proper and routine...

Open an indoor fireplace flue damper before lighting anything in the fireplace below. The damper is a trap door at the lower end of the chimney to create an opening for smoke to escape through the...

Several house fires have been caused by unattended fires left in fireplaces. Even closing the fireplace doors doesn't always contain burning logs that roll off the pile. It's more prudent to...

Even though fireplaces are warm, cozy, inviting and restful, they are one of the biggest energy wasters in our homes. Warm air from the house is pulled up the chimney, while cold air from outside...

Oil lamps or kerosene lanterns have been around for centuries as a source of light against the evening darkness. Distinctive in the glass chimney and clear liquid chambers, the large wick provides...

If you have ever been in a house when the creosote in the chimney from your wood stove built up to the point that it caught fire, you know how frightening a chimney fire can be. Today's wood...

Chimneys need to be swept at least annually to remove buildup of creosote, a flammable material. Additionally, buildup of soot and creosote minimizes the draft needed to keep smoke from coming out...

Want to make sure your fireplace is safe to burn for the winter? Been missing out on the warmth and crackle from a nice fireplace because you are unsure if it safe to use or when it was last...

A fireplace is one of the features of a house that make it seem like home. The crackle and spark of a warm blaze welcomes you into the evening. The smell of the wood burning that somehow sneaks...

The fireplace in your home is a source of relaxation and warm for you and your loved ones. The fireplace should be safe, properly maintained, uncluttered, and good for the environment. This...

As more and more people turn to their fireplace or woodstove for heat this winter, it is important to observe woodburning guidelines that will safeguard you and your family and also honor the...

All the good adjectives apply to a fire burning in the fireplace: Cozy, Warm, Quaint, Romantic, Charming, Family-like, Memorable, Great! Yet a few basic steps should always be taken before...

Many houses burn down each year because of accidental house fires. Many of these fires can easily be avoided. Here are a few easy steps you can take to avoid a fire in your home.

To safely operate your wood stove or fireplace, proper maintenance and careful use are essential.

Flue fires can be like volcanoes, with sparks and hunks of burning creosote shooting out of the chimney. The real danger is that this fire can spread to the rest of the house through the walls or...

If you are heating with wood this winter, you'll need to take steps to make your wood stove as safe as you possibly can. Wood stove safety is very important in order to protect your family from...

As the price of fuel oils soars, many Americans are turning to wood as their primary source of heat. Not only is it less expensive to heat with wood, many believe it provides a cozy down-home...

Wood stoves are often beautiful to look at, as well as serviceable for heating and cooking. They need a whole different touch than a stove or a fireplace would, but the pleasure you get from them...

Carbon monoxide can be produce by a different number of sources, including furnaces for heating, wood stoves, fireplaces, a clogged chimney or improper venting in your garage. Symptoms of carbon...

A well maintained fireplace adds ambiance and value to your home. It's a good way to provide alternate heating and reduce your fuel costs. It's important to inspect your fireplace chimney on a...

With the increased cost of energy, people use wood burning and gas fireplaces not only as decorative pieces but for heating, too. Unsafe use of these fireplaces is increasing the number of...

Every chimney needs periodic inspection to remain functional and safe. The job typically requires a professional chimney service. Both fire and carbon monoxide poisoning result from unsafe...

A wildfire can destroy your home in no time. Wildfires destroy hundreds of homes each year. One of the best ways to avoid a wildfire from damaging your home is to clear all vegetation from around...

Stay warm and toasty with a safe, secure and smart fire in your home.

You can never be too concerned about fire and fireplace safety, especially in your home. Protect yourself and your neighborhood with the following steps.