Don’t Let Your Fireplace Go Up in Smoke

For many of us at Allgood, enjoying the warmth of a fire is a welcome winter ritual. But without proper maintenance beforehand, those glowing flames can turn into a devastating chimney fire. The best course is prevention – having a certified chimney sweep perform an annual inspection ensures your fireplace and chimney are in working order. They’ll also clean and repair it when needed. Following some simple do-it-yourself steps can also prevent a catastrophe. If you’re cutting your own wood, make sure it has time to season (dry out); moist wood promotes creosote build up. Don’t build huge fires; instead burn smaller, hotter fires that produce less smoke and a more complete burn. When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace. Also, never burn trash in your fireplace and keep the area around the hearth clear of potential fire hazards as well.If you have a screen, whether mesh or tempered glass, always use it to prevent sparks or debris from escaping. Don’t have some kind of shield on your fireplace? Then install one today. Also inspect the outside and make sure the chimney is free of branches or other debris. Stack wood at least 30 feet away from your home. Storing wood in your garage will invite unwanted insects that live under bark and between the grain of the wood. Stacked wood can also provide harborage or living space for rats and mice. Storing wood up against your home can invite termites closer to your biggest investment.As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take action today so that you can enjoy a roaring fire all winter long.