Home Safety

Creosote is a brownish-black natural product of combustion usually found in fireplaces and chimneys after a fire has been extinguished. According to the Vancouver, Washington Fire Department, too...

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,...

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...

Fire safety is one of the most important things for families, especially those with young children. Knowing what to do and where to go can ease your mind. It can also save lives.

Fire extinguishers are required in all businesses and are a smart addition to any house. In fact, the more extinguishers you have in your house, the safer you will be. However, merely having an...

Vent-free gas fireplace inserts can be fueled by natural gas or propane. They give the warmth and cozy atmosphere that fireplaces create, but without all the dirty work and labor required to...

Ventless fireplaces provide realistic, affordable and charming atmosphere to a room. The question of safety comes up when dealing with either gas or gel fueled units. A few precautions when...

Fireplaces are pleasant places to retire to, gather around and enjoy. Whether alone or with family, friends or a special someone, owners of fireplaces need to ensure their fireplace is working...

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...

If you have a gas-burning fireplace, you may turn it off during the summer and relight it for the heating season, or sometimes the pilot light can be accidentally blown out. In either case, you...

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

More and more homes are being built with gas fireplaces now in place of the traditional wood burning counter parts. There are a few advantages to having a gas fireplace. However, before you can...

Wood-burning fireplaces can create a peaceful, inviting ambiance in your home. They can also cause problems if not maintained or used properly. Safely enjoy the warm crackle on a winter's night by...

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...

Using a fireplace screen protects your house from flying sparks, runaway logs and keeps children away from the blaze. Fitting a fireplace screen, however, can be tricky. No two fireplaces have...

There are many different types of fireplace dampers, depending upon the type of fireplace and the age and style of the house. It is important to have the damper open every time you burn a fire, or...

Few things cause as much fear as a fire. But properly contained in a fireplace, a fire is a warm and inviting addition to your home. While there is no safe way to extinguish a fire in a fireplace,...

Whether your goal is just to add some extra heat or a romantic fire for that cozy evening, a properly constructed fire in an insert fireplace place can be a quick solution. By carefully building...

Premade fireplace logs are a great convenience for anyone who loves a warm fire on a cold evening. It's great to start a fire the old-fashioned way with a wood log that is the perfect size, shape...

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...

When the electricity fails during a winter storm, keeping warm becomes a real concern. Not only is it important for your family's comfort, but also it can be a matter of life and death for the...

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...

Power outages, they are something we have all dealt with and they can certainly be a nuisance. However, a power outage that occurs as a result of winter weather can certainly be more than a...

For the Southeast, this has been an unusually harsh winter. With temperatures consistently dropping in to the teens, we used our gas logs fireplace with reckless abandonment. This article will...

Certain responsibilities come along with owning and operating a fireplace. The first and foremost concern should be safety. A fireplace screen will help ensure your fireplace is a safe place to...

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...

My family of four recently went through 5 very cold days and 4 nights with no electricity or heat after an ice storm hit Kentucky on Jan. 27. Although we were relatively unprepared, we came...

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...

Winter' s wrath is bound to affect all of us at some time. Below zero temperatures and wind chills can make winter a challenge. A snowstorm or ice-storm hits and inevitably you lose electricity,...

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...

Do you have an older house with a fireplace that you're afraid to start a real fire because smoke seems to always get trapped, your eyes always water, your smoke alarm goes off, and your fear...

Glass fireplace doors can be a great way to visually enjoy a fire. Fireplace doors in general are also very beneficial for heating your home. The right doors can prolong the life of each fire you...

In cold weather, air gets heavy and dense. You can’t always guarantee that the air in your flue will be moving upward. Chances are, the opposite will be true and you will feel a cold breeze...

Every year thousands of people die as a result of fire, not to mention the billions of dollars worth of personal and public property that is destroyed. Some simple measures can make sure that you...

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

If you have a woodstove or fireplace, you must observe care with what and how you burn.

Family and personal safety is paramount when using the fireplace during those cold winter months. These tips will help reduce the chances of fire hazards in your home.

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...

Many people think starting a fire is as easy as striking a match or flicking a lighter. But starting a strong fire and maintaining it is a multistep process that requires some knowledge on the...

There is no easy fix when there is a gas leak, whether it be from a gas fireplace or any other gas-powered appliance. In most cases, if a homeowner discovers a gas leak in their fireplace, it's...

You're fire is burning in your fireplace. Keeping it blazing can be a challenge. There are several different ways to add wood to a fire, however you do it, you must be sure to follow safety protocols.

Just about everyone loves the idea of the warm, crackling glow of a fireplace in the middle of winter. As long as it has a sturdy construction, your fireplace is most likely safe and dependable,...

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...

The threat of carbon monoxide poisoning is a real threat to you and your family. Carbon Monoxide poisoning was the cause of death for over 500 people in the US in the year of 2006. Poisonous...

Lighting a wood-burning fireplace is not an easy task. However, anyone can light and enjoy a fire without filling the room with smoke if they have the proper tools, a little fire safety knowledge...