8 Fireplace Safety Tips to Consider for the Upcoming Winter Season
The allure of cozying up by a crackling fireplace on a cold winter’s day is hard to resist. Unfortunately, along with that toasty warmth and relaxing glow, fireplaces– as well as wood and gas stoves– release dangerous pollutants into the air that can greatly affect the indoor air quality in your home.
These pollutants include:
● Carbon Monoxide (CO)
A colorless and odorless gas, CO interferes with the bodies ability to utilize oxygen. Minor exposure can lead to fatigue, dizziness, weakness, headaches, confusion, and nausea which can progress to loss of consciousness and death if CO levels rise. To ensure the safety of you and your family, installing and maintaining carbon monoxide detectors and oxygen-depletion sensors is necessary.
● Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
NO2 is one of the leading outdoor air pollutants, but can also form indoors when wood or natural gas are burned. It can cause a number of harmful effects on the lungs, including reduced lung function, worsened coughing and wheezing, increased inflammation of the airways, increased asthma attacks.
● Particles
Particulates released during the burning of wood or gas can cause significant damage to the lungs. Difficulty breathing and/or aggravated existing conditions can result as well as particularly asthma, bronchitis, and wood smoke allergies. A number of fireplace pollutants have been linked to cancer.
Make sure you’re taking the necessary precautions to protect your indoor air quality when using your fireplace:
Aprilaire’s Fireplace Safety Tips
● Choose the proper fuel
Use smaller, dry pieces of wood to ensure a hotter and cleaner burning fire with less smoke. NEVER burn wet, treated, or painted wood.
● Before making a fire
Open the glass doors, pull aside the screen curtains and place the kindling, and wood inside. Then open the damper and a window to prevent a smoky room. (This may vary based on the construction of your fireplace.)
● While fire is burning
Cool the chimney by keeping the glass doors open, but keep the screen closed to prevent sparks from jumping out. Make sure the area around the fireplace is clear of anything flammable.
● Child safety
Never leave a fire unattended when children are in the house. Install a safety screen to minimize any chances of burns if you have small children. Communicate the dangers of fires and heat as early as possible to your children.
● Important precautions
Install both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, testing them monthly and changing the batteries at least once a year. Always keep a fire extinguisher on hand and be sure it is easily accessible.
● Cleaning
The firebox should be cleaned out at least once per week when the fireplace is in use. Be sure to close the damper to prevent cold air in the flue from stirring up dust while you’re removing the ashes. Wear a dust mask and open a window to prevent negative air pressure. The firebox should be kept completely clean when the fireplace is not in use.
● Burning
Coals can remain hot enough to start a fire for up to three days, so wait at least that long before removing any ashes. Levels of ash should be kept to one inch to act as insulation and allow the coals to heat faster and retain heat easier.
● Routine Maintenance
Have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean your chimney at least once a year. Checking your chimney for animal nests or blockages is important even if it isn’t due for a cleaning to ensure the smoke can escape properly. It’s essential to clean and inspect your fireplace and venting system to protect your air quality.
● Use an air purifier
Even properly-kept fireplaces can release harmful emissions into your home. Aprilaire air purifiers can filter and remove damaging particles released from fireplaces to help your family breathe easy all winter long.
Article Credit: Aprilaire
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