With the winter weather around the corner, many people will be lighting their fireplaces to keep cozy as the weather cools down. While fireplaces provide warmth and a comfortable atmosphere, they can quickly become a safety hazard if they are not taken care of properly.

Proper maintenance of your fireplace and chimney are crucial to keeping your family safe this winter season.

• Clean and inspect. It is essential to have your fireplace cleaned and inspected by a licensed chimney specialist. With annual inspections, you can ensure your fireplace and chimney are functioning safely and efficiently.
• Schedule a sweep. Have your chimney swept and inspected to ensure that all soot and creosote is removed and that any damage is discovered and repaired before the winter season for safe operation.
• Keep debris out. By installing a chimney cap with a spark arrester, you can keep leaves, debris, branches, and animals out while also helping to prevent sparks or embers from escaping the chimney and becoming a fire hazard.
• Open the flue. Be sure that the flue is open before lighting your fireplace to ensure the fireplace vents properly and make sure the fire is completely out before closing the damper.
• Clear off the roof. It is essential to keep your roof and chimney free of pine needle, leaves, branches, and other debris. Take care to prune trees and branches to keep them away from your chimney.

It is important to make sure you never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Make sure to fully extinguish the fire before leaving the house or going to bed. Also, keep the metal screen closed while the fire is lit to help keep embers in the fireplace.

Keep Your Home Safe Inside and Out

While you prepare your chimney and fireplace of e the winter, be sure to change the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and test them to ensure they are working correctly.
It is also important to make sure you have the best homeowners insurance for your home. At Quantum Source Insurance, we can help you find the right policy to protect your home from fire damage. Contact us today to learn more!