Fireplace Safety Tips

Wood Fireplaces and Stoves

The following tips will help you reduce fireplace dangers and keep your family safe.

  1. Keep the area around the fireplace and chimney free of flammable items and other debris
  2. Keep children and pets away from the fire
  3. Always use a fireplace screen
  4. Do not overload the fireplace with too many logs
  5. Do not use gasoline or other accelerants to start a fire
  6. Do not burn garbage, plastics, or Christmas trees in the fireplace
  1. Keep a fire extinguisher near the fireplace
  2. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the house. Test the detectors and batteries regularly
  3. Place logs at the rear of the fireplace, preferably on a grate
  4. Do not leave a fire unattended; extinguish the fire before leaving the house or going to bed
  5. Have your fireplace inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney sweep

Gas and Propane Fireplaces

  1. Keep the fan and other air circulation passages clean
  2. Keep the glass clean
  3. Keep vents free of blockages
  4. Keep a fire extinguisher near the fireplace
  5. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the house. Test detectors and batteries regularly