After a day on the ski hill or an afternoon of shovelling, there’s nothing quite like warming up by a wood burning fireplace. But, before you light the fire, it's important to take a few simple steps to keep your family and home safe. This will help prevent potential dangers like accidental burns and chimney fires. If you’re using a wood or pellet stove, you’ll want to do some additional research so you’re familiar with how to operate it safely. Here's what you need to know to safely enjoy your fireplace and stay toasty warm this winter.
Get your chimney professionally cleaned
Schedule a chimney sweep appointment, even if you’re a DIY fan, and have a professional clean your chimney. They can safely remove ash and creosote — a chemical that can catch fire — preventing chimney fires. They will also visually check your chimney to make sure it's in good shape. You should be doing this every year, so set a reminder on your calendar.
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is a must-do before the mercury drops below zero. You should have at least one smoke detector on each level of your home and outside each bedroom, as well as at least one carbon monoxide detector somewhere in your home (ideally in a hallway near the bedrooms). Carbon monoxide poisoning is completely avoidable if you take the proper preventative steps and exercise caution when building fires.
Watch this short video for more tips on how to prevent carbon monoxide leaks and keep your family safe:
How to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide can be hard to detect, but there are things you can do to help prevent leaks. Consider these tips to protect your loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning at home.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home.
- Only use your BBQ outside. Keep your BBQ outside to allow gas fumes to flow freely in the open air.
- Stick to a regular maintenance schedule for all fuel-burning appliances. Inspect and service your furnace, hot water heater, and wood burning stove annually to check for gas leaks or potential problems.
- Make sure all vents are clear. Regularly inspect your dryer, furnace, and chimney vents to make sure they’re not blocked by debris, ice, or snow.
- Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Mild to moderate exposure can cause headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, or weakness. If you notice any symptoms, go outside, and contact your local fire department.
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By being diligent, you can reduce your risk and keep your family safe.
Safety first, then décor
It's nice to decorate your fireplace as the focal point of the room, but make sure you don't put anything flammable near it, or you might cause a fire. Keep furniture, blankets, pet beds, plastic items, Christmas trees, and wood at least three feet from your fireplace. To keep kids and pets safe, put a safety screen around your fireplace. The screen also protects your floor from embers, and prevents loose embers from sparking a fire.
Manage your fire from start to finish
Before starting your first fire of the year, check that you have the proper tools on hand, including a fire poker, dry wood, kindling, and paper. Do not use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start your fire and always make sure your damper is open. Only use one or two logs, depending on the size of your fireplace, to limit the risk of chimney fires and watch your fire closely, as stacked logs can shift as they burn.
Put out the fire before you leave
If you’re ready to call it a night, use the poker to spread out any remaining embers so they cool faster or spread sand over the embers to help smother them. Never leave the room or your house until the fire is completely out. Leave the damper open until the ashes have cooled, as a closed damper could help a fire heat up again and allow carbon monoxide to build up in your home. Once they’re cool, remove the ashes using a steel shovel and an empty metal container and store the ashes away from your home or flammable materials.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a real fire — as long as you know what you’re doing. Enjoy the warmth and peace of mind this winter, knowing you have a safe fireplace to relax by.
Note: Some locations have laws regulating the use of fireplaces. Be sure to read up on your local laws before lighting up your fireplace this season.
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