Fireproofing Your Fireplace

Fireplaces can be a fantastic addition to any home, providing warmth and extra aesthetic quality to your room. However, there are also safety risks that come with fireplaces, ones that can prove to be devastating or even fatal if the proper precautions are not taken.

Fire Guard

This simple device is very effective at preventing accidents around your fire, particularly for those inquisitive youngsters who are liable to wander too close to it. As well as preventing access to the fireplace, guards are very helpful in stopping sparks and embers escaping from the fire and causing damage. Available for purchase at a wide variety of homeware stores or fireplace showrooms, these useful guards also come in a range of styles so you needn’t detract from the appearance of your fireplace in the name of safety.

Chimney Checks

Regular checks of your chimney are highly recommended, as any structural damage to them can be very dangerous; in extreme circumstances it can even lead to your chimney collapsing. If you are unsure about what you are supposed to be checking for, call a professional to come and inspect it for you. They will be able to spot any faults or potential issues efficiently and ensure that appropriate action is taken when necessary.

Furniture

This sounds like it should go without saying, but ensure that furniture and upholstery such as sofas, chairs or rugs are not situated too close to the fireplace, as you can increase the risk of them setting alight if you are not careful. Find the right balance between situating them in a place where you can enjoy the warmth of the fire without risking your safety.

Extinguishing Fires

You may be someone who extinguishes your fire when you go to bed for the night, or you might leave the fire to die down by itself. If you are someone who does the latter, learning to how to use a extinguisher your fire before you leave the room for an extended period of time is something that needs to be done. Even though fires may seem like they are fizzling out, sparks and embers can still leave the fireplace and cause a lot of damage to flammable materials.

Firewood Precautions

It is important that you don’t stack your fire with excessive amounts of firewood. Although it seems like the fire will burn for longer, the more firewood you use, the more smoke, sparks and embers are generated which can in turn become quite hazardous for you and your family. Similarly, make sure your firewood is stored at least 10m away from your house at all times.

Here at City Fire Protection, we are experts in providing fire safety equipment and training for businesses throughout the country. If you would like to know more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.