There’s nothing like the warmth and tranquility of a nice fire after being outside in the cold. Whether working or playing, the anticipation of coming into a soothing fire’s sound, smell and sight are undeniable. Curling up for a nap, reading a book, watching TV – everything’s better when a fire’s warm glow is added. Unfortunately fireplaces can also be extremely dangerous. Every year people are killed and property is lost due to fires that originate in fireplaces or improper handling and disposal of ashes.

Rule 1: Fire needs fuel

Whether you’re cooking dinner, lighting a candle or making a fire in your fireplace, there needs to be a fuel source in order for there to be fire (there also needs to be heat, oxygen and chemical reaction), On the stove, the fuel is gas – turn it off and the fire goes out. If the grease from your lamb chops catches fire, turn the broiler off and when the fat burns off the fire will go out. A fireplace isn’t quite as simple. Once you get the fire started, you put in more wood to keep it going. The wood catches fire and now you’ve got a nice pile of burning wood – how do you put it out? There’s no switch or knob to lower it or turn it off. Bottom line – you have to have a responsible person monitoring the fire as long as it’s burning. You can’t go out to a movie or go to sleep as long as there’s fuel for the fire to consume. Don’t leave fires unattended – EVER!

Rule 2: Make sure your fireplace is properly constructed and MAINTAIN IT!

OK, believe it or not there’s a lot of parts that all have to work together correctly in order for your fireplace to work and be safe. The height of the chimney above the roof, the construction of the flue, the damper, the dimensions of the firebox, the ash box all have to be designed an installed properly in order to direct the smoke out and keep the fire in the fireplace. Even things that were properly installed originally (whether 5 years or 50 years ago) can deteriorate over time and become hazards. That’s why you need to maintain your system! We can’t emphasize this enough. Annual cleanings and inspections are the best way to make sure you’ve got a system that’s as safe as it can be. If you don’t remember the last time the flue was cleaned, it’s been too long. Don’t use your fireplace until you have it cleaned and inspected and do it every year, period. Check out http://www.csia.org/ for more information.

Rule 3: Make sure you have a sturdy screen that keeps hot embers in and children and pets out.

Screens, whether metal or metal and glass, serve an important function. They keep the wood and hot embers inside your fireplace while making it more difficult (but not impossible) for people and animals to come in direct contact with the fire. On the other hand, fireplaces generate lots of heat so screens and other things around the fireplace can become extremely hot. Touching a metal screen in front of the fireplace is like touching a hot pot on the stove – there’s no difference. Use at least the same caution around a fireplace as you do around your stove.

Rule 4: Don’t overload the fireplace with wood.

Keep things under control. Don’t add a lot of wood all at once and create a bonfire in your house. 3 or 4 logs burning nicely will keep you toasty and look, sound and smell great.

Rule 5: Dispose of ashes properly!

Put hot ashes in a non-combustable container (that would be metal) with a tight fitting cover (you can even put a little water over the ashes in the container). A good cover will deprive the embers of one of the elements necessary for fire – oxygen. Now, when you put hot embers in a metal container the heat will be conducted to the container so don’t put it on anything that could burn or be damaged by the heat. And here’s the key – PUT IT AT LEAST 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE HOUSE! Heck, once you’re outside in the cold with your container of embers don’t skimp, go 20 feet away from the house (as long as you’re not putting it within 10 feet from your neighbors house now).

Finally, keep a fire extinguisher near your fireplace. You should have an ABC fire extinguisher in your kitchen and you should keep one near your fireplace(s) also. If things don’t seem right, don’t be a hero. Get your family (and pets) out of the house and call 911.

As always, there are lots of good resources on the internet if you want more information. Type “fireplace safety” into any search engine.  Some worthwhile videos can be found here http://www.monkeysee.com/play/16544-how-to-properly-extinguish-a-fire

Stay safe and warm this winter.