1. Get a professional inspection
Having your home’s fireplace inspected and cleaned by a professional is the biggest essential to fireplace safety. For fireplaces that are used regularly, most experts recommend an annual inspection and cleaning. The cost typically ranges from $200–$300. It is not a small fee, but it is well worth it to protect your home from soot buildup or other dangerous chimney defects. Regular inspection and cleaning help ensure your fireplace is ready for another year of use.
2. Have a working carbon monoxide detector
Another big tip for fireplace safety in your home that those often forget about is ensuring that you have a functioning carbon monoxide detector on the same level as your home’s fireplace. Often, we see that individuals only focus on placing a carbon monoxide detector near the kitchen. But practice fireplace safety and invest in a carbon monoxide detector that can let you know if something with your fireplace is amiss.
3. Use quality wood
Something easy to overlook is the type and quality of wood you use in your fireplace. Burning wood that is wet or overly moist not only hinders the quality of the flame but can also be a fireplace safety hazard.
Pockets of moisture in wood can cause small explosions, sending embers into your living room. Furthermore, always avoid burning treated wood or anything containing paint, glue, or old nails/screws—these can release unhealthy toxins into the air when combusted.
For the best fireplace safety, it’s optimal to use dry hardwoods such as maple, oak, birch, cherry, and ash when burning wood in your indoor fireplace.
4. Start your fire safely
The hardest part of having a fire is getting it going. It’s best for fire safety to start it naturally, using dry kindling (sticks or other pieces of small, dry wood) and some old newspapers. You can also use approved fire starters.
Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start a fire in your indoor fireplace. It may sound obvious but, in a pinch, this can be one of the first things people forget when it comes to fireplace safety, opting for the “quick and easy” flame.
5. Use a fireplace screen and grate
There are two pieces of equipment that we recommend to every homeowner who is looking to stay cozy for optimal fireplace safety: a fireplace screen and a quality grate.
A fireplace screen will help keep any hot wood or embers from exiting the fireplace. You can easily find a cast iron grate, the most common type, and can purchase it at most local hardware stores.
Additionally, investing in a quality grate is also important—this piece of metal props up the wood and helps prevent logs from rolling out of the fireplace.
6. Invest in gloves and tools
Along with the heavy-duty pieces of equipment mentioned above, a quality set of fireplace tools helps you build and maintain safe fires. Standard tools include a fiber broom (for cleaning ashes), poker, tongs, and shovel. Also, it’s worth investing in fire safety or welding gloves—these allow you to briefly handle hot logs if you ever find yourself in a situation that requires it.
7. Have an accessible fire extinguisher
This one is simple: have a working fire extinguisher near your fireplace and know how to use it.
8. Educate and prepare
If you are reading this, then you are already on the right track! It can’t be overstated how important it is to take time to educate yourself and your family members about fireplace safety. Further, have an emergency plan, including evacuation routes and meeting points outside the home. While we never hope the worst can happen, we always feel a tad bit safer when we know there is an emergency plan in place.
Cozy up and enjoy
Your home’s fireplace can be enjoyed with peace of mind when you’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure its safety and functionality. If you have any concerns about your home’s fireplace safety or your chimney, seek help from a professional chimney sweep.