By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
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.