The Fundamentals of Family Fireplace Safety

The Fundamentals of Family Fireplace Safety How should I arrange the room? 1 Smoke detectors Install in every sleeping area, and at every floor, of your home. The safest option Hard-wired detectors are interconnected, providing early waming in case of a fire in any room of the house. 1. Do install a carbon monoxide detector 5. Don't install a smoke detector near the fireplace A carbon monoxide detector should be installed in the fireplace room, and unlike a smoke detector, won't cause false alarms. If you have a fireplace in the same room as a smoke detector, it will cause false alarms. Carbon monoxide detectors If your smoke detectors don't include a carbon monoxide detector, these should be installed in hallways near every sleeping area. 2. Always supervise a fire 6. Don't clutter the area Make sure an adult keeps an eye on the fire from when it's lit until the ashes The area around your fireplace (the 'hearth') should have no decorations, debris or flammable materials. are cold. 7. Don't mount your TV If you mount your TV over your fireplace, It can be damaged by the heat, and the viewing angle is usually too high, which puts strain on a viewer's neck. 3. Use licensed installers Licensed professionals will make sure the area is heatproofed, and the fireplace is properly vented. 4. Use a safety gate 6. If you have children or pets, use a non-toxic, heat resistant safety gate to keep them away from the fireplace. 2 Doors open or closed? Before lighting the fire While the fire burns Once the fire is out Open the damper, which usually means pulling the handle all the way to the right. This will ensure all gases are vented through the chimney. Leave glass doors open when fire is burning - this ensures the fire will have enough air for complete combustion, which keeps your chimney freer of creosote. Keep the mesh screen in front of the open door to prevent embers from entering the room. Once the ashes are cool, close the glass doors to prevent air from the chimney getting into the room. Close the damper to keep the cold air out. *creosote is the tar left in your chimney. As it accumulates, it becomes a chimney fire hazard. Regular chimney cleaning will help reduce the risk of chimney fires. Tip: Most damper handles are metal, so they'll heat up as your fire burns. Let it cool before touching it, and use an oven mitt to protect yourself from bums. Tip: Before starting the fire, check the damper is open using a flashlight. What should I burn? Do Burn Don't Burn Flammable liquids As vapors can explode. Charcoal Which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Soft, moist wood This causes creosote buildup in your chimney. Trash Dried, cut firewood Softwoods like fir and pine burn more quickly, and are better used when starting a fire. Hardwoods like maple and oak are better used once the fire is established and the chimney is heated. Newspaper, wrapping paper and cardboard can release harmful vapors. Painted or pressure treated wood Can emit dangerous chemicals. Fallen tree limbs These can be used for kindling, if given time to dry. What should I do with the ashes? 1. Allow ashes to cool before disposal, at least overnight, but longer if possible. 2. Dispose of ashes in a metal container, moisten them, and keep them outside of your house. 3. Don't store anything else in the container. 4. Have the ashes hauled away with your other garbage. Sources: wikihow.com/Avoid-False-Alams-With-Your-Smoke-Alarm usfa. fema gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/heating/fireplace shtm static hpba.org/fileadmin/factsheets/product/FS_Fireplace Safety pdf nachi.org/fireplace-fuel.htm cpsc.gov/en/Newsroom/News-Releases/2004/CPSC-Warns-Of-Hazards-from-Heaters-and-Fireplaces/ NORTHSHORE FIRE PLACE