How to Keep a Safe Fireplace

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

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fire Logs
• Fireplace Screens
• Fireplaces
• Smoke Detectors
• Smoke Detectors
• Fire Extinguishers
• Fire Extinguishers

1. Try not to overfill your fireplace. Keep the number of logs to a minimum.

2. Use a fireplace screen. Metal mesh screens are commonly used.

3. Keep the area around the fireplace and chimney clear of any debris. Empty out the chimney shaft and clip shrub or tree branches away from the chimney.

4. Make sure to keep a fire extinguisher nearby and working smoke detectors throughout your home. Test them all regularly.

5. Try not to use the fireplace as a garbage disposal. Keep glossy magazine paper, Christmas trees and other old junk out.

6. Have a chimney sweep inspect and clean your fireplace annually. Make sure the sweep is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).

7. Try not to leave a fire unattended or leave children unsupervised near a fire.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a glass screen, keep it open as a fire is burning unless specifically noted otherwise in the manufacturer's instruction manual.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector in rooms with a fireplace for increased safety from harmful fumes.