Having a fireplace in your home is wonderful for a lot of reasons. It produces heat very quickly, makes your home feel more cozy, and is a great place to gather with family and friends. But fireplaces are not without risks. Operating a fireplace safely should be top of mind at all times.
When you need to schedule maintenance or a fireplace repair in Fresno, you can give our team a call for service. You can also keep reading to learn our tips for how to operate your fireplace safely to reduce associated risks.
Check Damper or Flue Openings
You should always check the damper or flue openings for your fireplace before each individual operation. You can peek up inside your fireplace and shine a flashlight to see if the damper or flu are open. This is how the exhaust air channels outside of your home to keep your family safe when your fireplace is burning.
Be Choosey About Wood
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you want to be very selective about the pieces of wood that you put in your fireplace. Pieces of wood that are too big will not burn well. Wood that is green or damp is also a bad idea. You should select small, dry pieces of wood to burn in your fireplace for the best effectiveness.
Install Detectors
No matter what type of fireplace you have, you should install a smoke detector in your home. This is a great way to prevent fires because you’ll be alerted if there’s any smoke in your home when there shouldn’t be.
If you have a gas fireplace, carbon monoxide detectors are equally important. Having any gas lines in your home means that you risk carbon monoxide leaks that can be very dangerous for your health. Carbon monoxide detectors can alert you to a gas leak if you ever have one. Otherwise, gas doesn’t have an odor and a leak may be more difficult to identify.
Allow Space
You should allow at least three feet of space in every direction from your fireplace. This is a great way to prevent fire hazards. This includes furniture, blankets, and even decorations. You also want to be careful that children do not get any closer to the fireplace than three feet. You can purchase a safety screen to put up in front of your fireplace that helps you create a physical barrier to maintain this space and keep everyone safe.
Schedule Annual Maintenance
Just like any other major appliance in your home, you need to schedule annual maintenance for your fireplace. This is an opportunity for our team to make sure that gas lines are secure, flue and dampers are working as they should, and that your fireplace is in overall good condition. If we have any concerns during a maintenance appointment, we can bring them to your attention.
California Indoor Comfort: Where comfort and technology come together. Schedule an appointment with our team today for fireplace service.