Holiday Fireplace Lighting Safety: Tips to Keep Your Family Safe

The holiday season is a time for joy, family, friends, and evenings spent together by the fireplace. However, it’s important to remember that fireplaces, especially around this time of year when adorned with festive decorations, can pose potential fire hazards. To ensure a safe and merry holiday season, follow these essential fireplace lighting safety tips:

Heat & Glo Cosmo Linear Gas Fireplace

Before You Light the Fire:

Before you light your first fire of the holiday season, it’s important to take some preventative measures to ensure a safe and enjoyable fireside experience: 

• Schedule a Professional Chimney Inspection: Hire a certified professional to inspect your chimney. They will check for things like creosote buildup, which can ignite and cause a chimney fire, as well as any structural damage, blockages, or other potential hazards. 

• Thoroughly Clean Your Firebox: Remove any ash, soot, or debris from the firebox. This will help prevent accidental fires and improve the efficiency of your fireplace. 

• Inspect Your Fireplace Tools: Ensure your poker, tongs, and any other fireplace tools you have are in good condition and free of rust or damage. Replace any worn-out tools to avoid accidents. 

• Keep Combustibles Away: Keep flammable materials, such as curtains, furniture, and decorations, at a safe distance from the fireplace. This will help prevent accidental fires and protect the surrounding area and your home from damage.

When Lighting the Fire:

Once you’ve prepared your fireplace, it’s time to light a fire. Here are some tips to ensure a safe and efficient burn: 

• Use Dry, Seasoned Wood: Avoid using green or wet wood, as it produces more smoke and creosote. Seasoned wood burns more efficiently and produces less smoke, reducing the risk of chimney fires. 

• Start Small: Begin with a small fire and gradually add larger pieces of wood as the fire grows. This will help the fire establish itself and burn safely and more efficiently. 

• Never Leave a Fire Unattended: Always supervise a fire, especially when children or pets are present. Never leave a fire unattended, even for a short period, no exceptions. 

• Use a Fireplace Screen: A fireplace screen will help prevent sparks and embers from escaping the firebox and landing on flammable materials. It also provides a physical barrier to keep children and pets away from the fire.

Heat & Glo Phoenix TrueView Indoor Open Gas Fireplace

After the Fire:

Once you’ve enjoyed a nice, warm evening and the fire has finally subsided, it’s important to properly extinguish the fire and clean up any mess. Make sure to: 

• Extinguish the Fire Completely: Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the room or going to bed. Use a poker to inspect the ashes and ensure that all embers are extinguished. 

• Dispose of Any Ashes: Allow the ashes to cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Place the container outside, a safe distance away from the house and any combustible materials. 

• Clean the Fireplace Glass: Clean the glass door or screen to improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents. Regularly cleaning the glass can also help to prevent the buildup of soot and creosote, which can be a fire hazard. 

• Do a Final Inspection: Check the area around the fireplace for any embers that may have escaped and signs of damage, such as soot or smoke stains. Regularly inspecting your fireplace can help to identify and address potential problems before they become serious.

Additional Tips:

• Educate Your Family: Teach your family members (especially children) about fire safety, including how to properly use the fireplace and what to do in case of a fire emergency. 

• Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Carbon monoxide is deadly and can be produced by poorly ventilated fireplaces. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home to alert you to dangerous levels of this gas and regularly inspect them to ensure they are working properly. 

• Check for Drafts: Before lighting a fire, check for any drafts that could cause sparks or embers to escape the fireplace. Close any nearby doors or windows to reduce drafts. 

• Maintain Your Fireplace Regularly: Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the glass and removing soot, can help improve the efficiency of your fireplace and reduce the risk of fire. 

Remember, a little prevention goes a long way. By taking the time to inspect your fireplace, use it safely, and maintain it properly, you can help to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season for you and your loved ones. Please follow these simple fire safety tips so you can enjoy the warmth and ambiance of your fireplace without compromising your family’s safety. Happy Holidays!

Heat & Glo Primo II Linear Gas Fireplace

If you’re looking to upgrade your fireplace or install a new one, Energysavers offers a wide range of high-quality fireplace and fireplace insert products. Our highly trained and fully NH licensed technicians and installation teams are certified by the National Fireplace Institute® to help you select the right fuel, ensure proper venting system configuration, and get your setup in compliance with safety regulations. By choosing Energysavers, you can enjoy the warmth and ambiance of your fireplace with peace of mind.

Contact Energysavers today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our fireplace upgrade options.

Looking for tips on how to tell when it’s time for a fireplace upgrade? Check out this blog.

About Energysavers, Inc.

Founded nearly 50 years ago, Energysavers is family-owned and operated out of Meredith, NH. We are proud to provide quality, dependable pellet stoves, wood stoves, fireplaces, hot tubs, saunas, outdoor grills, and more. Visit the storeroom and choose from the many models and sizes we have in stock and receive the best price and quality service. Call us today at (603) 279-7961 or visit our website or store to schedule a home inspection.