Have your fireplace and
chimney serviced annually by a certified chimney sweep.
Burn only hard woods
such as oak or hickory. Soft woods like pine, lumber scraps, etc., do not burn
as hot, leaving soot and combustibles on the chimney lining. This can cause a
chimney fire.
Never use a flammable
or combustible liquid to start or accelerate a fire.
Make sure a screen or
glass door covers the opening. Sparks
will shoot out of the fire box and cause a fire.
Be totally certain that
the fireplace assembly is in good structural condition. No voids, cracks, or
openings in the chimney can be accepted.
Clean ashes out of
firebox prior to use, making sure there are no hidden embers.
Dispose of cold ashes
in the proper manner.
Be sure the damper is
operating the way it is supposed to operate.
When
installing/replacing the doors on the front of a pre-fabricated fireplace,
check that the proper doors listed for that fire place are used. Numerous
fires have occurred from installing improper doors, causing an excess of heat
build-up and resulting in a fire in the wall behind and above the fireplace.
