National Fire Prevention Week and Fireplace Safety

National Fire Prevention Week may not have a mascot like the Easter Bunny or Cupid, but it’s important nonetheless. Brought to you by the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), it is an annual event to raise fire safety awareness. This year’s focus is on lithium-ion batteries and their potential as a fire hazard. Born out of the memory of the Great Chicago Fire’s 40th anniversary, the NFPA presented the idea to President Calvin Coolidge, who supported it with a presidential proclamation. Every year since then, a different theme, such as the potential fire threat of lithium-ion batteries, has been emphasized.  In the spirit of National Fire Prevention Week, let’s explore how to enjoy your fireplace safely. We will review some useful tips to help ensure a fire won’t occur in your chimney’s interior and will prevent your fireplace from setting your furniture ablaze.

National Fire Prevention Week is a Great Time to Get Your Chimney Professionally Serviced and Inspected

National Fire Prevention Week, which takes place at the beginning of the fall every year since 1925, is an ideal time to review fireplace safety. 

Hiring a professional chimney sweep service to inspect and sweep your chimney before the busy winter season is wise. They will ensure the safety of your fireplace and chimney, and that they are ready for cold weather. After your fall inspection, it should be repeated at least once a year, or more if you use your fireplace constantly. Why are regular inspections necessary? When you burn logs in your fireplaces, the combustion releases chemicals from the wood that produce a tacky, easily ignited substance known as creosote. Why does that matter? Creosote will cake the inside of your chimney, making it more likely that a chimney fire will take place. With each log burned, creosote will build up in your chimney, eventually leading to a chimney fire. A certified, knowledgeable, and experienced chimney sweep service should inspect and clean your chimney to prevent chimney fires.

Purchase a New Fire Extinguisher For National Fire Prevention Week

A great way to protect your home from fires ignited by your fireplace or other fire hazards is to keep a fire extinguisher nearby. This is especially beneficial in Southern California. If a fire in the fireplace gets out of control, or embers fly out of the fireplace like enemy missiles (see below), you will be able to get the fire under control. It is wise to have a fire extinguisher in every room, especially during peak fire season.

Screens Are a Great Way to Keep Fire from Leaping Out of Your Fireplace

Another way to celebrate National Fire Prevention Week is to place a protective screen in front of your fireplace. Embers tend to fly out of a fireplace and latch onto ignitable objects. Items like carpet, rugs, curtains, sofas, tables, chairs, or even weathered hardwood floors could all be set ablaze by rogue embers. Ensure your furniture is placed at least three feet away from your fireplace; this will help protect it from being engulfed in flames. To prevent embers from starting a fire, place the screen squarely in front of your fireplace to restrict the white-hot projectiles. It is also the best way (other than fireplace doors) to keep your pets and children safe from burns.

Put New Batteries in Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Frequently

It is essential to ensure that your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are functioning properly, so replace the batteries regularly. Replacing old batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors is a vital step towards protecting your house, pets, and loved ones from fire. If you don’t own smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, be sure to purchase some; they may just save your life. 

Only Burn Wood in Your Fireplace

It may be tempting to use old boards in your garage or scraps from a restoration project in your fireplace, but it is a bad idea. Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace; treated or painted wood may cause a health emergency. If you burn painted or treated wood, toxic fumes will quickly invade your home. Never burn treated wood, plastics, and other non-organic items in your fireplace. The wood you put in your fireplace should be seasoned for a better fire. Green (or uncured) wood will billow smoke into the room where your fireplace is located, using up all the fresh air. Saving a few dollars on firewood is not worth a trip to the hospital.

Don’t Let Fire Prevention Week Pass By Without Taking Action

Taking action on your fireplace, chimney, and overall home fireplace safety will let you sleep soundly at night, knowing you have made sure your home is safe from fire.

Chimney Sweeps Incorporated is the Fireplace and Chimney Safety Experts

In SoCal, there is no better expert to prevent chimney and fireplace fires than Chimney Sweeps Incorporated. We have years of experience and the trust of our customers. They know once we are done inspecting and cleaning their chimney and fireplace, the chances of a chimney fire are very low. Contact us today to ensure your chimney and fireplace are safe.