Don’t let yesterday’s “heat wave” fool you; winter is well on its way and the cold will soon return to our lives. One thing I do enjoy about winter is curling up with a mug of hot chocolate in front of a toasty fireplace. Well, this would be my favorite thing to do if I actually had a fireplace, but a girl can dream, can’t she? Fireplaces are great additions to your home but can also be hazardous. Follow these safety tips to keep your house warm and jolly this winter.
- Always keep an eye on your fireplace when in use. Do not leave the fire unattended and never let children play near the fireplace.
- Hire a chimney sweep to properly inspect and clean your chimney. Think chimney sweeps are a thing of the past? Follow this link to find out how to hire a chimney sweep and your fireplace will be good to go before you can say chim chim cher-ee.
- Make sure the wood you burn is seasoned. This means the wood has been cut and sits in a dry environment for at least a year. Unseasoned wood may be damp and will create a cooler fire, while properly seasoned wood will burn at higher temperatures and create less buildup in your chimney.
Fireplaces can make winter enjoyable for anyone, even those of us who prefer the summertime. Following fireplace safety will keep your home warm and safe this winter.
-Sam