With the cosiness and good looks of a fireplace comes great responsibility. When fire is involved, care and attention must be priority. So how do you keep your fireplace safe, in good working order and free from hazards?
Here’s a few of the most important things to follow which can act as pointers to general care and maintenance of your fire.
If you have children around the house, never leave the fire attended. Little ones might be curious of the tools, warmth and spectacle of a fire, so keep an eye out and make sure everyone is a safe distance from the hearth.
Invest in a non-flammable rug – these are the best accompaniment to your hearthside and will be able to deal with any stray sparks that fly out of the fire.
Get some good quality fireplace tools. These will cover the whole gamut – the handling of logs, the poking of the burning embers, the brush and shovel for the hot ashes – safely and efficiently.
Check that your chimney has a cap. If there isn’t one fitted, get a professional around to put one in. A chimney cap stops animals nesting around that area, and keeps debris from chimney blockages that increase the flow of carbon monoxide in the house.
Does your chimney have a spark arrester? If not, get one fitted as these stop sparks from flying out and igniting on the roof or garden.
Remember that the heat from coal can remain dangerously high for several days after the fire, so take care of this when you are clearing ashes away, and make sure you give enough time for them to cool down before you dispose of them in any general waste bins.
With point 6 in mind, don’t use your vacuum cleaner on ashes – the heat can cause damage to the inside of the machine.
Regular sweeping is vital to the health of the chimney. The general advice is to get the chimney sweeper around at least once a year, or after 80 fires.
Get your chimney sweeper to inspect the health of the chimney interior and exterior as well as the fireplace. Any advice should be followed up as swiftly as possible.
Do you have concerns about your fireplace? Call the experts at ELB Fireplaces on 01942 607 250, and we will give you advice on safety and maintenance of your fireplace.
