Ensure Holiday Fireplace Safety! Get a professional chimney inspection from Restoration Specialists to remove creosote and prevent dangerous fires this season.
The sound of the fire crackling is the perfect sound for the holidays. As winter sets in and families get together, a roaring fire gives warmth, atmosphere, and a cozy place to gather for celebrations. However, the holiday season also sees a dangerous rise in the use of fireplaces, which is why Holiday Fireplace Safety is so important. It’s not just smart to call in Restoration Specialists for a full inspection before you hang those stockings or light the first holiday fire—it’s necessary to keep your home and family safe.
Restoration experts, who often work closely with certified chimney sweeps, know how to find and fix structural, creosote, and venting problems that cause most of the fireplace hazards during the holidays. Their main goal is to make sure that the chimney system is safe, sound, and works well.
The Most Important Check: Yearly Chimney Inspection
The best thing you can do to make sure your Holiday Fireplace is safe is to have a professional check it out once a year. There are many dangers that can build up in your chimney flue over the course of a year without you even knowing it:
- Creosote buildup: This tar-like, highly flammable byproduct of burning wood is the main reason for chimney fires. Even a small amount can catch fire, and the fire can quickly spread through the house.
- Blockages: Birds, squirrels, and other animals often make nests in flues that aren’t being used during the warmer months. Leaves and other debris can also build up at the cap. These blockages stop smoke and, even worse, carbon monoxide from escaping properly outside.
- Structural Damage: If the flue liner has cracks, the mortar joints are broken, or the chimney cap is broken, heat and sparks can escape into the house or moisture can get in, which can cause long-term damage.
A professional inspection, which often uses special cameras, finds these hidden dangers. This lets Restoration Specialists do the repairs that need to be done before any fire is lit.
Call Campione Construction at (404) 587-5723 for a consultation!
Safe Decorating: Getting Rid of Flammable Things
Hanging garlands, stockings, ribbons, and decorative greenery on the mantel and hearth is a common way to get into the holiday spirit. Holiday decorations are pretty, but they are also very flammable and can catch fire right away if they are too close to the fireplace opening.
The three-foot clearance zone is a good rule of thumb for keeping the fireplace safe during the holidays. Make sure that all of your decorations, furniture, rugs, and especially light things like holiday wrapping paper or tissue are at least three feet away from the fireplace opening.
- Stockings: Use strong hooks to hang stockings so they can’t swing or fall near the firebox. Take them out before you start a fire.
- Candles: Use LED candles that don’t have flames on the mantel. Put traditional candles in heavy, non-flammable holders and keep them away from any fabric or garland.
- Christmas Trees: Keep both real and fake trees at least three feet away from the fireplace. The heat can dry out a real tree or set fire to a fake one.
Did you know?
Chimney fires can get very hot, sometimes over 2,000°F, and homeowners may not notice them until they get really bad. They can damage the structure of the chimney, make it weaker, and start house fires. The main reason these terrible fires happen is that creosote builds up in the flue and isn’t cleaned out.
Keeping Your Family and Home Safe
Check that your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries before guests arrive. These devices are your last line of defense against the deadly and quiet threat of carbon monoxide that comes from a blocked flue.
Getting a chimney inspection and any repairs that need to be made now is a way to keep your home from getting damaged by a fire and having to pay for major repairs later. Make sure that the only heat and light in your home this season comes from a source you know is safe.
Trust the professionals who specialize in keeping your home safe to do a full inspection, maintenance, and structural restoration of your fireplace.
Call Campione Construction at (404) 587-5723 for a consultation!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should I have my fireplace and chimney inspected?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that all fireplaces, chimneys, and vents should be inspected at least once per year (Level 1 Inspection) by a certified chimney specialist. This is true even if you don’t use the fireplace frequently. If you use a wood-burning fireplace regularly, an annual cleaning (sweeping) and inspection are necessary to remove creosote buildup.
What should I do if a chimney fire occurs?
If you suspect a chimney fire (signs include a loud cracking/roaring sound, heavy smoke, or a super-heated exterior), immediately call 911. If safe, close the damper and fireplace doors to restrict oxygen to the fire, and evacuate everyone from the house. Never attempt to put out a chimney fire with water, as the sudden temperature drop can crack the flue liner or masonry.
