Get Your Fireplace Ready For The Holiday Season
Thanksgiving and Christmas are holidays to look forward to, and giving priority to fireplace safety can help prevent potential disaster from stifling the joys of the season. Achieving fireplace safety during the busy holidays doesn’t happen without planning. It all begins with a phone call to your trusted chimney sweep. Read on to learn important tips for maintaining fireplace safety during Thanksgiving and Christmas and throughout the holiday season.
Schedule Chimney Services
The first thing to do is recognize that for every home with a chimney, it is advised to enlist chimney sweep services before the start of a new wintry season. Most chimney sweeps are booked up through December by the time the last piece of candy is handed out on Halloween. It’s really best to handle chimney inspections and chimney cleaning in summer, which beats the winter rush and gives time to make necessary repairs.
Chimneys are vulnerable to water damage, and there are multiple ways that water can enter this system and cause destruction to the masonry. So, to make sure that you can enjoy your fireplace when it’s likely to mean the most, schedule chimney services as early as possible.
Tips for Fireplace Safety During the Holidays
Fireplaces are often in the middle of activities with friends and family during the holiday season. Precautions are necessary to ensure safety. With the following information and tips, you can be confident your fireplace is ready for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Season.
- When decorating your mantel, be sure that nothing is dangling in front of the firebox. Of course, Christmas stockings look best hanging in front of the fireplace, but they should be removed when the fireplace is actually in use for best safety practices.
- When buying wreaths and garlands that will be placed near or on your fireplace mantel, choose fire-retardant materials every time.
- When burning candles, be certain that flames are extinguished before leaving the room. Also, if you light candles with combustible materials nearby, there is an increased risk of a fire. Use extreme caution with candles, the same as with your fireplace.
- Whether they are strewn across your mantel or on your Christmas tree or stairway, be sure holiday lights don’t have a short in them or exposed wiring. Keep all cords and wires away from your firebox.
- Keep combustible materials away from the fireplace at all times, including gift boxes and wrapping paper.
- Do not burn wrapping paper in your fireplace because it contains additives that can release toxins into the air and create a dangerously unpredictable atmosphere in the firebox.
- Do not dispose of your Christmas tree by burning it in your fireplace. Only seasoned firewood should be burned a fireplace, which means that the wood has gone through a drying process for six to 12 months.
Our CSIA-certified technicians at Black Moose Chimney & Stove are ready to get your fireplace ready for the holiday season. We provide the best in chimney inspections, chimney cleaning, chimney repair, masonry services, and any other needs you have related to your chimney.
Remember that once the holidays are quickly approaching, it can be difficult for qualified chimney sweeps like ourselves to squeeze in additional appointments. If you live in or around Antrim, NH, schedule your annual chimney inspection and chimney cleaning today by calling (603) 525-7905. All of us at Black Moose Chimney & Stove wish you a safe and happy holiday season.