Apartment Fireplace Safety
You were lured by an apartment with a cozy fireplace. But before you crank up your gas, wood or electric fireplace this season, you should be aware of some safety precautions that could save your home, and even your life, from a fire disaster.
Photo by: paulandaline (Flickr Creative Commons)
Stock up on the hot chocolate and brandy. It’s that time of year to gather around the fireplace with some good friends. But first, especially if this is your first time renting an apartment with a fireplace, there are some important safety things you should be aware of.
Keep Fireplaces Clean and Clutter-Free
If you have a wood chimney, you should have it inspected and cleaned annually by a certified specialist. They will check for creosote buildup and make sure that the air supply is not restricted. If you have a gas fireplace, it should be checked for gas leaks and carbon monoxide. Also, make sure that the area around the fireplace is clean and free of debris. Many apartment and house fires start around the holidays when people decorate their fireplace with garland, Christmas stockings and other flammable materials. You should always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces and leave the glass doors open while burning a fire.
Use the correct fuel
For wood fireplaces, never use flammable liquids to start a fire. Use only seasoned hardwoods or specially treated burning logs that are available in stores. Place logs near the back of the fireplace on a grate to allow proper ventilation. Do not throw paper, cardboard or other materials in your fire. Never leave a fire unattended and extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
Protect your home
If you live in an apartment, you should make sure that your smoke alarms work. Replace the batteries when needed or call maintenance to test your smoke alarms if needed. Store your firewood as far away from the fireplace as possible.
With a little precaution, you can safely enjoy the warmth of the fireside in your cozy apartment during the cold months. Just use a little common sense and follow the guidelines for lighting, maintaining and extinguishing your apartment fireplace.