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Reduce Fire Hazards This Winter

Winter is the heaviest use period for fireplaces. This is because many homeowners use them for warmth and heat during these cold months. So, is your fireplace system is used more now than it is any other time of the year? Then this is the time for fireplace performance problems and other safety hazards to occur.

Reduce Fire Hazards This Winter Image - Ann Arbor MI - Clean Sweeps of MichiganThe following tips can help reduce your potential fire hazards:

  1.  Keep décor away from the fire. It may be tempting to curl up in a chair directly in front of a roaring fire. However, furniture, blankets, carpets, and other home furnishings should be kept at least three feet from the fireplace when in use. This prevents any stray sparks or embers from igniting any home décor while the fireplace is in use. A sturdy fireplace grate or glass doors can also prevent damage to furnishings or accidental house fires. Likewise, any hanging décor should be removed from the mantel before the fireplace is used.
  2. Properly dispose of ashes. How you extinguish a fire and what you do with the ashes can have a major impact on overall fireplace safety. First, fires should always be allowed to extinguish naturally. Using water to extinguish a fire indoors can send large amounts of smoke flooding into your home. In addition to damaging the masonry of the firebox.
  3. Call a chimney sweep. Have your chimney swept and inspected at least once per year! Its the best way to prevent chimney safety and performance problems. Chimney sweeps can help remove creosote, the flammable fireplace byproduct that is the leading cause of chimney fires. They also identify areas of damage that need to be repaired.

Also Keep In Mind…

How often you use your fireplace and the amount of wood you burn can determine if you need to have your fireplace swept more than once per season. According to the National Fire Protection Association, chimneys should be swept once per year or any time 1/8th of an inch of buildup occurs. For most fireplace system, this amount of buildup is caused by burning a full cord of wood. If you are using more wood than this during the winter, it may be best to have your chimney swept several times.

Taking the small steps to reduce fire hazards this winter can make the fireplace safer for the whole family. For more information on safe burning tips or to schedule your next chimney cleaning, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today!

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