BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Maintain a Safe Fire in Your Fireplace

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (8 Ratings)

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

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Fire Detector
Fire Logs
Fireplaces
Firewood
Fire Extinguishers

Step1

Start a fire that isn't too large for your fireplace. Fires that are too large are dangerous, can cause cracks in your chimney and can waste fuel.

Step2

Select the right logs. Generally, fire logs burn cleaner than firewood, which burns cleaner than hardwood firewood (hickory, oak), which in turn burns cleaner than softwood firewood (fir, cedar).

Step3

Keep the fire ventilated. Open glass fireplace screens (see manufacturer's instructions for specific use) and close the damper (which controls the draft) to keep warm air inside once the fire has been completely extinguished.

Step4

Prevent flammable creosote from clogging chimney walls. Certain kinds of firewood deposit more creosote than others; fire logs leave less.

Step5

Have your fireplace inspected and cleaned annually. Make sure the chimney sweep is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).

Step6

Check chimneys for cracking, loose bricks and any other signs of deterioration.

Tips & Warnings

Seasoned wood (wood that has been dried 6 to 12 months after splitting) burns cleaner than green wood. Burn only wood with a moisture content of less than 20 percent.
Keep your wood storage away from your house and off the ground. Only bring into the house the amount of wood needed to build your fire, which also keeps unwanted insects outside.
When selecting a fire log, make sure the brand is approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), especially for use in zero-clearance metal fireplaces.