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Fireplace Dangers
- Do not stack artificial logs in the fireplace like you would real wood.
- Do not use your fireplace if it has loose bricks or needs to be cleaned.
- Do not burn charcoal, coal, or plastic materials (wrap, cups, plates, etc.).
- Do not burn garbage in the fireplace.
- Do not ever use gasoline or other such liquid to start or help a fire to start.
- Do not allow small children near the fireplace.
- Do not leave a fire unattended.
Maintenance for Fireplace Safety
- Keep the fireplace in good condition by repairing cracks in the flue lining, bricks and mortar.
- Keep the flue clear of soot, creosote and obstructions. Inspect the fireplace and chimney at least once a year to prevent creosote buildup.
- Clean the chimney regularly to avoid buildup, also known as creosote, that could ignite your roof.
- Be sure to use a screen in front of your fireplace large enough to catch rolling logs or sparks.
- Don't use flammable liquids to start the fire.
- Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build a fire. It's possible to ignite soot in the chimney by over-building the fire.
- Never burn charcoal in your fireplace. Burning charcoal gives off deadly amounts of carbon monoxide.
- Be sure no flammable materials hang down from or decorate your mantel. A spark from your fireplace could ignite these materials and cause a fire.
- Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper can help hot ashes build up heat, causing the fire to flare up and ignite your room.
- Store cool ashes in a tightly sealed metal container.
Safe Supply of Fireplace Air
A fireplace fire requires about 5 times as much air as most houses need for liberal ventilation. With today's tightly-constructed houses incorporating weather-stripped doors, caulked windows and self-closing exhaust vents, a fireplace can set up reverse draft and suck poisonous carbon monoxide fumes from combustion-type (natural gas, etc.) water heaters or furnaces and discharge them into the living area. In tight homes, the fireplace may also consume enough oxygen from the air in the house to cause problems to occupants. To be safe, a positive source of outside air should be supplied to all fireplaces and wood-or-coal burning stoves to bring in enough fresh air for efficient burning. This can be provided by installing an outside air vent or opening a window when the fireplace or stove is being used. To keep smoke from entering the room, turn off kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans and close the registers of forced air heating systems which are near the fireplace.
Safe Fireplace Operation
- Check your fireplace and chimney often and keep them clean and in good repair.
- Equip your house with fire-warning devices including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Install a type ABC fire extinguisher near the fireplace. Install a screen that completely covers the fireplace opening to keep sparks from flying out.
- Keep flammable and combustible materials such as carpets, pillows, furniture or papers, logs and kindling at least 3-feet away from the fireplace area.
- Be sure the Christmas tree is not close enough to be ignited by a spark.
- Be especially careful of accidentally igniting holiday wrapping papers.
- Always use a screen around the fireplace to keep sparks from flying out and to protect children and adults from accidental clothing ignition.
- Keep the area near the fireplace clear of materials like papers, books, toys, etc.
- Everyone should know about the possibility of flying sparks from the fire and what to do about them.
- Keep the damper set so the draft (flow of air) will remove all smoke and gases when the fireplace is on. Remember, too much air flow might let the fire get out of control.
- Arrange andirons so logs can't roll out.
- Use only enough fuel to keep the fire at the desired temperature.
- Avoid "roaring" fires. They can start chimney fires from soot and creosote deposits in the flue.
- Do not overload the fireplace. Large fires can lead to overheating of wall or roof materials, particularly if the fireplace is constructed of metal.
- Never use gasoline, charcoal lighter or other fuel to light or relight a fire because the vapors can explode. Never keep flammable fuels near a fire. Vapors can travel the length of a room and explode.
- Never use fuels near a fire; explosive vapors can travel the length of a room.
- Open the damper before lighting the fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. This will avert the build-up of poisonous gases, especially while the family is sleeping.
- Never burn Christmas tree greens. They cause many sparks when burning and can cause a chimney fire.
- Remove colored comic sections before rolling newspapers into logs. The colored inks contain lead and can produce toxic gases.
- Do not use coal or charcoal in a fireplace because because of the danger of carbon monoxide build-up. It is not a good idea to burn trash or wrappings in fireplace fires because polystyrene foam and other coated materials can generate deadly fumes. Flying paper embers could also ignite the roof.
- Use natural logs. However, if you use the artificial logs, be sure to follow the directions on the package. Do not treat artificial logs (made from sawdust and wax) the same way you treat real wood logs. Do not treat artificial logs like real logs. Artificial logs are usually made of sawdust and wax and have special burning properties. Be sure to read the instructions on the logs and follow them carefully. Use just one log at a time and do not add another log until the fire is completely out. Never add an artificial log to a natural wood fire that is already burning. Wait at least two hours before adding an artificial log to a natural log fire because it could cause a flare-up. Do not poke artificial logs because the flaming wax could stick to the poker and drop onto the floor or carpet. Poking a log could also cause a flare-up.
- Use only one at a time. If you use more, they can produce too much heat for some fireplaces to withstand.
- Keep children away from the fire because their clothing can easily ignite. Warn the entire family about this hazard. Warn children about the danger of fire. Do not let them play with fire.
- Be sure that all ashes have thoroughly cooled before you dispose of them.
- Put ashes in a lidded metal container to prevent a possible fire and provide a sturdy place to store them. Ashes make good fertilizer in gardens, flowerbeds, etc.
- Make sure that the fire is completely out before going to bed or if you plan to leave the house.