Fire Safety Tips for This Holiday Season

The holidays are rife with plans—schedules, lists, events, and endless to-dos. A traditional fixture in holiday festivities is the fireplace. It’s such a central theme for the holidays that many television providers even feature a “holiday fireplace” channel so that even people without a fireplace can enjoy one. While you enjoy your fireplace this season remember fire safety is important to make sure everyone in your house understands the danger of an open flame. At White Glove Chimney and Air Duct, our first priority is the safety and comfort of our customers in the Redding and Chico area, and we know it's your priority as well.

Fire Safety Tips from White Glove

• Remember chimney sweeps and inspections

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends regular chimney sweeps and annual inspections to maintain the highest level of safety and efficiency for your chimney system. The average homeowner won’t recognize a problem until it causes extensive damage, putting your health and that of your family at risk. Hire a certified chimney sweep for this important preventative maintenance, and have one less worry this season.

• Control the flame

When several people are packed into the house for a get-together with a fireplace roaring it will warm up quickly. You can use the damper to control the flame, as well as spreading the coals and logs out to allow them to die down. Glass doors are a popular option, and convenient too because they allow you to control the heat, and still enjoy the beauty of the flame. Glass doors can close securely, keeping the heat inside the fireplace and chimney system.

• Burn only wood

Make sure all of your guests know that only wood should be burned in the fireplace. Trash and papers can fly out of the fireplace ignited because they are so light. You can keep a wastebasket nearby during gift exchanges so that wrapping paper doesn’t make it into the fireplace!

• Use caution when feeding the fire

You can purchase tools and accessories that can allow you to stir the fire without accidental burns. It’s important to use common sense when it comes to fire. Don’t put your hands or face near the fire, especially with loose clothes or hair.

• Never leave a fire unattended

Do not leave the house or go to bed with the fire burning. If your fireplace has glass doors that close securely you can close them and it will be contained just as it would in a stove. However, leaving an open fireplace burning is a recipe for disaster.

• Decorate safely for the holidays

Any decorations that are placed on the hearth should be securely attached, placed on the mantel, and not left to hang near the fire. Stockings should be removed before the fire is lit and shouldn’t replaced until the fire and coals are completely cooled. Additionally, the Christmas tree should be placed far enough from the fireplace that it won’t land in or near the flame if it falls. Fire safety should be everyone’s priority while the family is together for the holidays. White Glove wants our customers to put safety first through the holiday season.