Below is a list of general rules and safety tips to live by when dealing with your fireplace. By following these tips you will make your home a safer place for you and your family.

• Make sure the chimney damper is open to let smoke escape.
• Remove all combustible material such as baskets,decorations, kindling, firewood, etc. from the vicinity of your fireplace or wood stove, keeping all such items at least 36″ away.
• Use a fireplace screen that is large enough to completely cover the fireplace opening for spark protection. A fireplace screen will also help to keep children and pets safely away from the fire.
• Use a heavy duty grate, and stack the fire to avoid logs rolling out of the fireplace during burning use.
• Have fireproof gloves, a tool set and a covered ash bucket on the hearth and ready for use.
• Never use gas or flammable materials to “freshen up” a fire.
• Test your smoke detectors, and install fresh batteries.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector in public areas on each floor of your home, such as hallways.
• Never burn colored paper such as magazines or wrapping paper. Don’t burn plastics; never burn painted, stained or treated wood – the fumes are poisonous. Don’t use your fireplace as an incinerator to burn pizza boxes, Christmas trees or stacks of paper or cardboard.
• Don’t leave the fireplace unattended while wood is burning.
• Keep the top of your woodpile covered; wet wood is harder to light, creates more smoke and makes your chimney dirty!