Earlier than You Gentle That Fire, Learn This

The cold, rainy weather and holiday season may have you thinking about roasting chestnuts on an open fire.

While some people may use natural gas-powered fireplaces, others still use wood-burning fireplaces. According to the U.S. Fire Protection Agency, furnace fires account for 36 percent of home fires in rural areas each year.

Emergency management officials have some pointers to keep your fireplace and fire safe:

• Have your fireplace cleaned by a professional. A chimney sweep cleans the entire chimney. Many people use a high-performance vacuum cleaner to ensure that no soot or dust gets into the apartment. Some sweepers also offer a series of inspections of the chimney, interior vent, and attic spaces for damaged areas that need repair.
• Choose firewood carefully. Seasoned firewood – wood that has been allowed to dry for at least six months – is the best and safest option. Purchasing one or two cords of wood can last the average fireplace user through the entire season. Wood can also be purchased in supermarkets or picked up for free in various areas.
• Avoid wood from freshly felled trees. It likely contains a high moisture content, which will result in more smoke than combustion output and can cause creosote deposits to form inside the chimney.
• Synthetic logs are also available. Be careful, however, as these burn unevenly and can release higher levels of carbon monoxide. Carefully follow the instructions on the packaging of these products.
• Check your fireplace screen or fireplace surround to make sure it safely protects against embers escaping the fireplace. In households with small children, an additional barrier in front of the fireplace may be necessary to prevent small hands from touching the hot screen.
• Remember to open the chimney before starting a fire. This allows fresh air to be supplied to the fire and smoke to escape from the house. If the chimney is not opened, it can quickly result in choking, dirty smoke filling the house. After the fire has been completely extinguished, the chimney should be closed to prevent animals and foreign objects from entering the house through the opening.
• Have a metal container available for removing and storing hot ash. Embers and ashes can stay hot for a long time, so they should be placed outdoors, ideally far away from the house, so that they don't set anything on fire.
• Inform household members about the rules for using fireplaces. Do not burn anything other than wood in the fire to avoid creating toxic fumes or dangerous embers. All it takes is one stray ember to start a big fire. Additionally, improper fuel materials can cause flammable creosote to build up in the chimney.
• Do not leave a fire unattended. If there is a fire burning in the fireplace, make sure someone is keeping an eye on it. Make sure the fire is out before you go to bed.