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Essential Fireplace Safety Guide & Tips
Relaxing and bonding with your family around the fireplace at home is priceless, yet it’s necessary to take precautionary measures in using a fireplace whether it’s wood burning, wood stove, gas and ethanol.
On this blog, we will fire- up safety guides and tips with things you need to know about fireplaces, so that your family will enjoy and have a peace of mind using a fireplace. Safety is our priority!
The common Day-to-Day Safety Concerns Related to Different Fireplaces Types
Fireplaces have different types wherein it gives us various options to choose which is best for our homes but, we need to consider the correct safety measures. Below is the list of the common day-to-day safety concerns related to different fireplaces types.
Wood-Burning Fireplace
The greatest concern of using a wood- burning fireplace is the harmful gasses, it releases carbon monoxide- which is a negative health effect when inhaled. Another is a byproduct of burning wood called creosote, a tar-like substance that forms inside your chimney when smoke doesn't entirely escape, its build up can severely increase the chances of combustion and is most often responsible for chimney fires or even lead to house fire. A Chimney sweep can resolve this concern. It is a professional who can clear ash and soot from chimneys.
Wood Stove
A modern wood stoves are highly efficient and bring a lot of heat to an appropriate-size room than traditional wood burning fireplaces, generate less smoke, and are safer due to their all-encompassing design. They’re regulated by the EPA to operate at up to 85-percent efficiency, making them smart choices if your goal is a reduction in heating bills. A wood stove fireplace is a free-standing appliance that is enclosed by glass doors. However, it’s important to keep the glass doors closed to avoid sparks and hot embers from flying out, as well as to lessen carbon monoxide emissions in your living space.
Gas Fireplace
A gas fireplace usually has a glass panel that separates the firebox from your living space, and it fully uses natural gas or propane, less smoke is created and our air is kept clean and fresh. It burns real flame that emulates the look of a traditional fireplace without burning wood, you don't have to gather firewood, clean chimneys, and manage ashes and soot. While reduced, concerns about carbon monoxide emissions and gas leaks are still common with this type of fireplace.
Ethanol Fireplace
An ethanol fireplace is a ventless fireplace that functions with combined zones for generation of heat and technological process- this fireplace does not require a chimney and gives off a real flame, not imitation. Ethanol fireplaces are a much safer alternative and emit the least amount of carbon monoxide. The only safety measure you need to take with ethanol fireplaces is reducing fire hazards by keeping your things away from the flames, as simple as that. Of course, bio-ethanol fuel is 100% alcohol that's why it cannot be sold untainted to prevent human consumption.
Among those types, which is the safest fireplace?
Without second thought, ethanol fireplaces will win the arguments, considering the modern safety features, environment-friendly components and the carbon dioxide released is safe to breathe. Worry- free and you can enjoy the beauty and luxurious warm indoor or outdoor space.
Vital Fireplace Safety Guide and Tips
For you to have peace of mind with your loved ones, it’s very important to be knowledgeable of the proper safety precautions when using fireplaces. Fireplace safety has come a long way, and modern fireplaces are relatively safe to use, but it’s also worthwhile to know how to enhance your safety.
Listed below are vital fireplace safety guidelines and tips to keep you and your family safe at home.
A must have equipment inside the house. Fire extinguishers are easy to use once you’ve been properly trained. You can purchase a fire extinguisher at your local hardware store.
Smoke detectors play an important role in our home fire emergency prevention. Most regions declare that each home should have one smoke alarm per floor, but some regions may have different regulations. It’s crucial that you look into these but neither region you belong to better equip you home with these detectors.
Similarly to smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors are a must for fireplace safety. In extremely rare cases, it causes carbon monoxide poisoning when inhaled. Essentially, there is no way to tell when you are surrounded by this gas as it blends in the air we breathe.
Whether you use pokers, brushes, rods, shovels, vacuums, or anything similar, you should pay special attention to which tools you use. Always choose professionally developed products meant for fireplace use, rather than random household stuff.
Clear areas containing highly flammable products and materials such as lawn clippings, rugs and carpeting, fabrics, paper, and even hair should always be kept away from excessive heat or flame. You want to keep your hair and your clothes out of the way when you’re starting a fire in your fireplace.
If you’re cooking, lighting candles, or using any other type of flame or excessive heat, you want to make sure that you’re watching it at all times, by keeping an eye on these types of flames away from the stove. If you start a fire in your fireplace you want to make sure you keep an eye on that as well, not unless it’s a bioethanol fireplace as those don’t require any cooling time.
Curiosity sometimes leads us to accidents, as much as you love your fireplace it's very important to educate your kids regarding fire and fireplaces. Setting boundaries and train them not to be near fireplaces for both kids and pets. You can also put safety screens to create separation between the fireplace. Better be safe than sorry!
Conclusion:
Thankfully, fireplaces are quite safe. However, any electrical items in the house that uses heat, whether it is from real fire or electric causes, should be carefully monitored and maintained to ensure that your home is safe. Be aware and have a presence of mind at all times for you and your family’s safety incase of emergencies that will be needing quick response.