On a cold winter day, nothing beats snuggling up to a crackling fire. If you intend to build fires in your fireplace, you must first ensure that it is ready for use. Your fireplace may become clogged or otherwise damaged during the off-season. You may find yourself scheduling fire damage cleanup if you do not plan ahead of time. Here are some tips for making sure your fireplace is safe to use during the winter months to help you avoid fire hazards.

Inspect for Signs of Damage

Before the start of the winter season, you should inspect your chimney for signs of damage. If your fireplace has not been used for several months or more, it may develop cracks, loose bricks, or mortar damage. Repairing fireplace damage is critical before lighting the first fire of the winter season.

Clean Your Chimney

Your chimney is designed to safely drain smoke and sparks from your home. If your chimney is clogged with soot and debris, your fireplace may pose a significant safety risk to your family. Hire a chimney sweep to clean out the interior of your chimney before lighting your first winter fire. Special tools will be used by your chimney sweep to ensure that your chimney is clean, clear, and ready for use.

Invest in a Spark Guard

Once you've started a roaring fire in your fireplace, you'll want to make sure you can keep the sparks and flames contained. Investing in a spark guard is a great way to improve the safety of your fireplace. Your spark guard will attach to the outside of your fireplace and keep sparks from flying into your home.

We want you and your family to be as safe as possible at Restoration 1 of Ellicott City. If a fire breaks out, make sure to prioritize your immediate emergency needs. Then please contact us!