Fireplace Safety for Fall In Sun City Center

It’s true – getting the family around the fireplace is one of the happier times spent during cold winter months. On the other hand, one of life’s sadder times in life occur when watching the fire department trying to save your home from a blazing fire. Fireplace safety is necessary.

Over 14,000 fireplace fires occur each year, resulting in nearly $900 million dollars in property damage, because of careless use and shoddy maintenance. This holds true with gas fireplaces and wood burning stoves as well.

Fireplace Safety for Fall

Here’s a few tips for that will help you practice fireplace safety:

1. Get your fireplace inspected before winter sets in. During cold, winter months, most inspection companies will be exceptionally busy. Therefore, you need to have an inspection at least one month before you plan to use the fireplace.
2. Inspect the fireplace before you fire it up. Use a flashlight and take a peek into the flue. You’re looking for obstructions, cracked bricks, missing mortar, or any sign of damage. Take care to clean out any ashes – placing them in a metal-lid trash can.
3. Burn correctly. Use seasoned hardwood (avoids accumulation of creosote), and burning logs. Place them on an approved elevated grate. Resist the urge to burn cardboard, trash, and other rubbish in your fireplace.
4. Keep any area around the fireplace clear. Don’t put anything that could combust near it. Keep a safe distance between a fireplace and anything flammable.
5. Protect your furniture and rugs from sparks. Periodically, sparks can shoot out from your fireplace, so use a screen to protect your rugs and furniture.
6. Never leave a fire burning when you leave the house. This is just common sense – never leave a fire unattended!

Are you looking for a house in the Sun City Center area with a fireplace? Let me help you find one. We can discuss what you’re looking for in a home, including a fireplace, and I can show you homes that fit your needs.