Many people look forward to using their fireplace when the snow starts to fall. Fireplaces don’t just look good and provide an extra selling feature for a home in West Chester, PA – they also keep a family warm and comfortable. While fireplaces have many benefits, there are also a few safety concerns you need to know about. If you’re not careful, the fireplace could spread a fire into your family room and bring the need for fire damage restoration. But don’t fret – the tips below will help you keep things on the safe side.
Clear the Area around the Fireplace
Before you start a fire in your fireplace, make sure there are no flammable items nearby. This includes magazines, newspapers, blankets, furniture, rugs, pet beds, and more. This may seem like an unnecessary task, but you don’t want stray embers and sparks landing on these items. A fireplace without anything in front of it may not appear attractive to you and your family, but you will save yourself a lot of trouble in the long run. When you move something away from the fireplace, let people know that they shouldn’t move it back.
Don’t Leave the Fireplace Unattended for Long Periods
Just as you shouldn’t place items in front of the fireplace, you also shouldn’t leave the fireplace unattended for too long. It’s never a good idea to take off to run errands while the fire is burning – you never know what you could come back to! At least one person should be nearby at all times. If you absolutely must leave the house, make sure a responsible adult is around.
Keep the Logs at the Very Back
If you want to avoid the need for fire damage repair, keep the fireplace logs at the very back of the hearth.
If you do experience a fire, call a professional fire damage restoration company to help. They’ll know exactly what to do to help you recover as fast as possible.
In 2013, 23,100 residential fires were caused by a fireplace, chimney, or chimney connector. For reliable fire damage restoration assistance, contact ServiceMaster Professional Cleaning and Restoration of West Chester, PA, at (610) 431-3553.