Now that winter
is here, many families are enjoying their fireplaces. What better way to
socialize and get comfy and cozy than gathering around a warm and crackling
fire? However, fireplaces and chimneys can pose a threat to the health and
safety of you and your family if they are not properly used and cared for. We are
an insurance
adjuster in Minnesota, and we want to make sure you and your family stay
safe this winter when using your fireplace.
On a yearly
basis, make sure that you get a professional chimney sweep to come to your home
to inspect your chimney and clean it. The sweep will note if there are any
needed repairs. Make sure the chimney sweep company you use is licensed by your
state and make sure they are fully insured to do the work.
When burning
wood, make sure it’s been dried and cured. The logs need to have been stacked
for at least 8 to 12 months before being used, and they should be stored
somewhere that they can be exposed to air but where they will not get too damp.
If you store your wood pile outside, make sure you cover it with a tarp but
keep the sides open so plenty of air can flow through.
In any type of
fireplace you might have, make sure only that particular fuel source is burned.
So if you have a wood-burning fireplace, make sure the only thing that is
burned in there is wood. Do not burn painted wood or treated wood, and do not
allow anyone to burn plastic, glass or any other materials like that.
Close the damper
when your fireplace is not in use. This will help keep warm air from escaping
out of your home through your chimney. When you have a fire going in your
fireplace, make sure you open the glass doors so the warmth can go into your
home. This is also a safety issue as well.
During the
inspection process, make sure the chimney cap is in good shape as well. The cap
is what will keep animals from nesting in your chimney and it also helps keep
water out of your chimney as well, not to mention downdrafts that could cause
problems in your home.
