603-293-4040
From Frame to Finish
We Do It All!

How To Safely Use Your Fireplace in Winter

Fireplaces (and chimneys) are fairly simple in their construction and operation, but using them safely isn’t something that everybody knows how to do. Fire N’ Stone chimney company of Tilton, NH, would like to share some helpful guidelines.

seasoned firewood, Concord, NH

Create less smoke by burning only dry wood

Damp (unseasoned) firewood can be quite smoky, which could cause smoke to back up into your room.

In addition, excess smoke will add to the creosote buildup in your chimney flue. Creosote can cause a chimney fire, so the less of it there is, the better. (See below.)

Never use lighter fluid or other accelerants to start fires

Fires should be started with kindling placed above or below a log stack that’s not too tightly stacked. Using lighter fluid, charcoal starter, kerosene, gasoline and other accelerants is a dangerous practice.
These products will release harmful chemicals into your home’s air, and they may flare up, damage your firebox and burn way too hot for what your system is designed for.

Use only firewood in your fireplace

One more burning-safety guideline: use only proper cut firewood for fireplace fires. Never burn items such as cardboard, magazines, furniture pieces, pressed wood, clothing, household garbage, Christmas trees or other materials.

Using inappropriate materials could result in excess smoke, the production of dangerous toxins and potentially damaging levels of heat.

Solve drafting problems

If smoke isn’t drafting efficiently, you may be able to solve the problem. Here are some tips.

  • A house that’s too air-tight won’t provide a proper fireplace draft. Crack a nearby window.
  • Exhaust fans, clothes dryers and other blowing devices can create negative air pressure in your home. Turn them off and see if it makes a difference.
  • Warm, light smoke may not draft well through heavy cold air in your flue. Try sticking a blow dryer or lit rolled-up newspaper into the flue for a few moments before building your fire.
  • Make sure your fireplace damper is fully open.
  • Have your chimney professionally cleaned to remove built-up creosote and outside debris that could be impeding drafting (see below).

Keep working smoke detectors and a CO monitor in your home

Smoke detectors save lives. So do carbon monoxide monitors. Place smoke detectors in appropriate places throughout your home. A CO monitor should be installed well off the ground near your fireplace.

 

Have your fireplace/chimney system inspected once a year

The services of a licensed chimney inspector will help to keep your fireplace and chimney running safely, cleanly and efficiently. Inspectors are able to spot early signs of damage or malfunction before they become expensive repair projects.

Annual chimney inspections are recommended by virtually every fire safety and hearth organization in the U.S.

Have your chimney cleaned once a year

Along with inspections, annual chimney sweeping (chimney cleaning) is a smart move toward ensuring system safety.

Trained chimney sweeps use specialized tools to remove built-up flammable creosote, which is a byproduct of smoke condensation inside your chimney flue. Most chimney fires are started by creosote.

Chimney technicians also remove drafting obstructions such as leaves, twigs, small-animal nests and dead animals.

Fireplace and chimney safety is a joint effort

As you can see, there are many things you can do to keep your fireplace/chimney system safe and in good shape. There are also many things a licensed chimney company can do to help toward this end. If you live in the New Hampshire Lakes Region, Fire N’ Stone provides expert chimney cleaning, fireplace and chimney inspections and all types of repair, rebuilding and restoration work.

Speak with a Tilton, NH, chimney pro at (603) 293-4040, or use our convenient contact form.